The province has announced $19 million toward the further development of battery electric vehicle (BEV) technology in Ontario.
Coming through the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), the funds will go toward seven Regional Technology and Development Sites (RTDS), which are spread out across the province.
In Northern Ontario, the RTDS is a coalition of members including NORCAT, which has locations in Sudbury and Thunder Bay; the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre; the Timmins Economic Development Corporation; the City of Temiskaming Shores; and Innovation Initiatives Ontario North in North Bay.
“Investing in Ontario’s manufacturing and innovation ecosystem is another way our government is ensuring Ontario remains a global leader in innovation,” said Vic Fedeli, minister of economic development, job creation and trade, in a Dec. 13 news release.
“This investment in the Regional Technology and Development Sites will help to ensure that innovators, entrepreneurs, and small and medium-sized enterprises across the province have the support they need to bring Ontario-made EV and connected and autonomous vehicle solutions to the world. The cars of the future will be built in Ontario by Ontario workers.”
Announced in April, the Northern Ontario site will focus on developing the supply chain from critical minerals to refining to the design of battery cells, powertrain, manufacturing and more.
Northern Ontario was chosen as the seventh site in the network for its expertise in mining, along with its skilled workforce.
“Core5, also known as the Northern Ontario Regional Technology Development Site (RTDS), will connect Ontario’s manufacturing might with Northern Ontario’s mining and mineral expertise, talent and leadership, and will provide the area’s mineral producers, local SMEs (small and medium enterprises) and electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers throughout Canada with the support they need to help build the next generation of low-carbon, autonomous, electric and connected vehicles through innovative methods of critical mineral extraction,” said Brendan Skiffington, the Regional Innovation Centre coordinator at NORCAT.
“We are excited to work with our partners in industry and academia to set the pace for EV technology adoption in the global mining industry.”
OVIN is part of Driving Prosperity ― The Future of Ontario’s Automotive Sector, a 10-year plan to position Ontario as a hub for EV technology.
