Jason Tchir - Page 10 - The Globe and Mail

Jason Tchir

FreelanceReporter

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Area of Expertise

Automotive

Jason is a columnist and car critic for the Globe and Mail's Drive section. He focuses on green mobility, road safety and trends in transportation. Previously, he wrote for the CBC and The Toronto Sun.

Latest articles

October 1, 2023

One of Ontario Premier Doug Ford's vehicles sits parked at the Ontario Legislature sporting a new licence plate in Toronto on Thursday, February 20, 2020. Ontario says its problematic new licence plates will stop being manufactured on March 4, and the old white-and-blue plates will be issued until problem is fixed. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

One of Ontario Premier Doug Ford's vehicles sits parked at the Ontario Legislature sporting a new licence plate in Toronto on Thursday, February 20, 2020. Ontario says its problematic new licence plates will stop being manufactured on March 4, and the old white-and-blue plates will be issued until problem is fixed. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

My licence plates have faded. How long should they last and must I pay to replace them?

3 min read

September 24, 2023

TV CAMERAS CHECK JARVIS STREET TRAFFIC -- Motorists will be on camera during the next two months as the Metro Toronto traffic department makes a television study of the movement of traffic on Jarvis Street. TV traffic control camera at Jarvis and Carlton Streets in Toronto, February 28, 1964. Photo by Boris Spremo / The Globe and Mail. #64059-25

TV CAMERAS CHECK JARVIS STREET TRAFFIC -- Motorists will be on camera during the next two months as the Metro Toronto traffic department makes a television study of the movement of traffic on Jarvis Street. TV traffic control camera at Jarvis and Carlton Streets in Toronto, February 28, 1964. Photo by Boris Spremo / The Globe and Mail. #64059-25

Will an out-of-province red-light-traffic-camera ticket affect my Ontario insurance?

3 min read

September 17, 2023

Heavy traffic leaves the downtown core in Toronto on Thursday January 14, 2021. Police say they have recovered 78 stolen vehicles and arrested four members of an auto theft group that allegedly targeted cars in the Greater Toronto Area. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Heavy traffic leaves the downtown core in Toronto on Thursday January 14, 2021. Police say they have recovered 78 stolen vehicles and arrested four members of an auto theft group that allegedly targeted cars in the Greater Toronto Area. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Are EVs harder to steal?

4 min read

September 10, 2023

ccm bike rack.JPG Bike rack story

ccm bike rack.JPG Bike rack story

Can I get an extra licence plate to put on my bike rack to avoid a ticket?

4 min read

September 3, 2023

A car that may have belonged to a murder victim is towed from the parking lot at Bramalea Secondary School in Brampton, Ont.. A woman was shot just before noon at the school prompting police and school officials to lockdown the school with ther students in it. Many anxious parents waited in the freezing rain and sleet for their children to come out.
Dec.10. 2004 Photo by Fred Lum / The Globe and Mail
DIGITAL IMAGE

A car that may have belonged to a murder victim is towed from the parking lot at Bramalea Secondary School in Brampton, Ont.. A woman was shot just before noon at the school prompting police and school officials to lockdown the school with ther students in it. Many anxious parents waited in the freezing rain and sleet for their children to come out.
Dec.10. 2004 Photo by Fred Lum / The Globe and Mail
DIGITAL IMAGE

My stolen car was found full of fentanyl. Can I refuse to take it back?

3 min read

August 27, 2023

With an EV, can I use one-pedal driving all the time?

4 min read

August 20, 2023

The Yakima SkyBox NX 18 is one example of a roof-mounted cargo box.

The Yakima SkyBox NX 18 is one example of a roof-mounted cargo box.

How much range will my EV lose if I use a rooftop cargo box?

3 min read

August 13, 2023

ccm bike rack.JPG Bike rack story

ccm bike rack.JPG Bike rack story

Can I really get a ticket for having a bike rack on the back of my vehicle?

4 min read

August 6, 2023

Brody Leimer went to pick up a truck left on the side of the road early Monday near Cochrane, Alberta. While he was in the middle of hooking it up, a man drove off in the tow truck with Mr. Leimer partially inside the attached sport utility vehicle.

Brody Leimer went to pick up a truck left on the side of the road early Monday near Cochrane, Alberta. While he was in the middle of hooking it up, a man drove off in the tow truck with Mr. Leimer partially inside the attached sport utility vehicle.

What am I supposed to do when I pass a stopped tow truck with flashing lights?

4 min read

July 10, 2023

2024 Subaru Impreza

2024 Subaru Impreza

Subaru’s new Impreza impresses (for less than the Crosstrek)

5 min read

July 9, 2023

An electric vehicle charger is seen plugged into an electric vehicle in an Ottawa, Ont. parking garage on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. Spencer Colby/The Globe and Mail

An electric vehicle charger is seen plugged into an electric vehicle in an Ottawa, Ont. parking garage on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. Spencer Colby/The Globe and Mail

What’s with the different kinds of plugs at EV charging stations?

4 min read

July 2, 2023

General Motors, South Korea's POSCO and LG Energy Solution, Netherlands-based Stellantis, and Belgium-based Umicore have all recently announced major investments in Canada's EV sector.

General Motors, South Korea's POSCO and LG Energy Solution, Netherlands-based Stellantis, and Belgium-based Umicore have all recently announced major investments in Canada's EV sector.

What’s with the surprise EV at the rental counter?

5 min read

June 25, 2023

Police car with focus on siren lights. Beautiful siren lights activated in full mission activity. Policemen with patrol car in intervention operation at crime place. Emergency lights flashing on patrol car.

Police car with focus on siren lights. Beautiful siren lights activated in full mission activity. Policemen with patrol car in intervention operation at crime place. Emergency lights flashing on patrol car.

When I hear sirens approaching while driving, what should I do?

4 min read

June 18, 2023

GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 15: A sign reads 'We Buy Used Cars!!' at an auto dealership on February 15, 2023 in Glendale, California. The Commerce Department released data today showing that retail sales saw a three percent jump in January, the biggest gain in almost two years. Sales increased 6.4 percent at automobile and other vehicle dealers. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 15: A sign reads 'We Buy Used Cars!!' at an auto dealership on February 15, 2023 in Glendale, California. The Commerce Department released data today showing that retail sales saw a three percent jump in January, the biggest gain in almost two years. Sales increased 6.4 percent at automobile and other vehicle dealers. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

How can I buy a car online without having to go through a traditional dealership?

5 min read

June 13, 2023

The Tesla Model Y charging in Jasper, Alta.

The Tesla Model Y charging in Jasper, Alta.

After two EV road trips, I would want my next one to be in a Tesla

6 min read

June 11, 2023

FILE — A Tesla electric car at a charging station in San Diego, Calif., on July 21, 2021. General Motors on Thursday, June 8, 2023, said it had reached a deal that would allow its electric vehicles to use Tesla’s extensive charging network. G.M. also said its future battery-powered models would use the charging plug standard pioneered by Tesla. (Roger Kisby/The New York Times)

FILE — A Tesla electric car at a charging station in San Diego, Calif., on July 21, 2021. General Motors on Thursday, June 8, 2023, said it had reached a deal that would allow its electric vehicles to use Tesla’s extensive charging network. G.M. also said its future battery-powered models would use the charging plug standard pioneered by Tesla. (Roger Kisby/The New York Times)

With longer-range EVs these days, is range anxiety still a concern for most drivers?

3 min read

June 4, 2023

Bucharest, Romania - February 24, 2021: Cars in traffic at rush hour on a boulevard in Bucharest.

Bucharest, Romania - February 24, 2021: Cars in traffic at rush hour on a boulevard in Bucharest.

I see more cars on dealer lots. Does that mean shortages are over?

3 min read

May 28, 2023

Police car with focus on siren lights. Beautiful siren lights activated in full mission activity. Policemen with patrol car in intervention operation at crime place. Emergency lights flashing on patrol car.

Police car with focus on siren lights. Beautiful siren lights activated in full mission activity. Policemen with patrol car in intervention operation at crime place. Emergency lights flashing on patrol car.

I had my stolen vanity plates reissued and now I keep getting pulled over

4 min read

May 21, 2023

An electric vehicle is charged in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 13, 2022. Canada and the U.S. are teaming up to build a corridor of charging stations between Quebec City and Michigan to encourage motorists in both countries to buy more electric vehicles.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

An electric vehicle is charged in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 13, 2022. Canada and the U.S. are teaming up to build a corridor of charging stations between Quebec City and Michigan to encourage motorists in both countries to buy more electric vehicles.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

If we get an EV, do we need to buy a home charger and how much does it cost?

4 min read

May 14, 2023

General Motors, South Korea's POSCO and LG Energy Solution, Netherlands-based Stellantis, and Belgium-based Umicore have all recently announced major investments in Canada's EV sector.

General Motors, South Korea's POSCO and LG Energy Solution, Netherlands-based Stellantis, and Belgium-based Umicore have all recently announced major investments in Canada's EV sector.

Which provinces have the best EV rebates?

4 min read