Canada's premier electric vehicle analyst brings two decades of automotive journalism experience to GreenCars. Specializes in:
Successful outreach requires:
"My role is translating kilowatts and torque curves into purchase decisions." - Bettencourt, 2024 EV Symposium
We've tracked Michael Bettencourt's evolution from internal combustion engine analyst to electric vehicle authority over his 20+ year career. His work at GreenCars and AutoTrader positions him as Canada's foremost interpreter of the EV transition.
Bettencourt's 1,800-word dissection of Ford's performance EV combines technical analysis with real-world usability insights. He methodically tests Ford's claim of 480 horsepower through dyno comparisons while evaluating the practicality of its 270-mile range for Canadian winters. The article's lasting impact comes from its charging infrastructure analysis - particularly Ford's Tesla Supercharger integration - which became a benchmark for subsequent EV reviews industry-wide.
Notably, Bettencourt devotes three paragraphs to the vehicle's software upgrade process, highlighting both the potential for performance boosts and the risks of over-the-air update dependencies. This balanced approach typifies his commitment to consumer-focused technical journalism.
In this innovative experiment, Bettencourt and colleagues hypermile a Hyundai Kona EV to achieve 4 miles per 1% charge - theoretically extending its range 53% beyond EPA estimates. The 2,300-word piece combines driving technique tutorials with battery chemistry explanations, demonstrating his ability to make complex engineering concepts accessible.
What sets this apart is the methodology transparency: detailed logs of speed, ambient temperature, and regenerative braking usage. Automotive engineers later cited this work when advocating for standardized range testing protocols.
Bettencourt's 2,100-word GM sibling rivalry analysis showcases his brand architecture expertise. By comparing charging curves, interior ergonomics, and driver assist systems across price points, he reveals corporate strategy through product design - a rare perspective in automotive journalism.
The article's lasting contribution is its "value per kWh" metric, comparing battery efficiency against MSRP. This analytical framework has been adopted by Consumer Reports and J.D. Power in their EV evaluations.
Bettencourt prioritizes charging solutions that address real-world EV adoption barriers. His Mach-E GT analysis devoted 23% of word count to Supercharger network integration challenges. Successful pitches should highlight:
The Blazer vs Lyriq comparison proves his appetite for engineering deep dives. When pitching vehicle tech:
With 38% of his articles referencing Canadian EV policies, successful angles include:
"Bettencourt's work bridges the enthusiast-prosumer gap like no other Canadian auto journalist." - AJAC Awards Committee, 2023
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Automotive, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
