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The Move To Electric Vehicles

The move is on to ensure a growing number of passenger cars, SUVs and trucks sold in Canada in the near future will be required to run on electricity. Manufacturers continue to adapt by retrofitting existing facilities and announcing the construction of new plants in Ontario.

In March 2023, Volkswagen, Europe’s largest automaker, announced that its subsidiary PowerCo will establish an electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing facility in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada.

Following this announcement, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and the Honourable Vic Fedeli, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, issued the following joint statement:

“Earlier today, Volkswagen announced that it has selected St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada, as the location to build the company’s first overseas battery cell plant. Today’s news is a major vote of confidence in Canada and Ontario, and in our shared work to position the country and the province as a global leader on the electric vehicle supply chain.”

The province continues to take significant steps forward to assist in building a clean transportation sector to meet global and North American demand for zero-emission vehicles.


Simcoe-Grey Company is Ahead of the Curve


In Simcoe-Grey, MEDAtech in Collingwood has been designing and building custom mobile heavy equipment since 2003 for world-wide use in the mining, construction, waste, transportation, and energy sectors. The ALTDRIVE division of the company makes all-electric powertrains. ALTDRIVE is an engineered battery-electric powered system that is capable of powering heavy equipment including commercial trucks, tractors, excavators, buses, haul trucks, light rail, and mining machines.  The technology is designed to replace internal combustion engines without surrendering performance.

Canada and Ontario are top destinations for European investors, with recent investments in the battery supply chain by companies like Belgium’s Umicore, demonstrating the strong and growing potential for collaboration in the clean technology and automotive space.

Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli was quoted on his Facebook feed as saying the historic investment from Volkswagen is PROOF that Ontario has everything companies need to grow and succeed.


NEWS RELEASE – March 29, 2023

Ontario Launches Clean Energy Credit Registry to Boost Competitiveness and Attract Jobs

Ontario has launched a clean energy credit (CEC) registry and is establishing the Future Clean Electricity Fund (FCEF), which will help keep costs down for ratepayers by supporting the future development of new clean energy projects in Ontario.

The CEC registry is an online tool that allows for the recognition, display of certification, and tracking (including transfers and retirements) of CECs generated in Ontario. Eligible Ontario-based non-fossil fuel generation facilities can be registered online and the generation from the facilities verified and tracked. Registered customers can search for CECs that meet their needs. The registry allows for transfers and retirements of an individual CEC so that it cannot be claimed by any other party.

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