Toronto, Ontario – The Canadian government pledges to build more electric vehicles (EVs) and the necessary chargers, a European autonomous vehicle (AV) company expands into Canada and local AV innovators and Canada-based Waabi receives investment from Volvo. This is the latest in EVs and autonomous vehicles.
Made in Canada
In two visits to Windsor, Ont., and Shawinigan, Que., Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged to invest in Canada’s EV industry not only in production but also in a cross-Canada charging network.
Currently, the Government of Canada has invested up to $529 million for Stellantis’ EV production facility in Windsor, Ont. and pledged to invest over $1.2 billion to build at least 84,500 EV chargers by 2027.
“Canadian-made electric vehicle chargers are win-win-win: not only do they support good middle-class jobs and position Canada as a global leader on clean tech, they also make it easier than ever for Canadians to choose an EV as their next vehicle,” said Trudeau.
Across the pond
United Kingdom-based software company, Oxbotica is expanding its Toronto office with 50 new roles opening, citing “considerable market opportunity.”
In an interview with BetaKit, an Oxbotica spokesperson said that it’s US$140 million is vital to the company’s expansion, and includes new shareholders such as Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance, alongside prior shareholders from oil and gas companies.
Oxbotica first announced its intent to expand into Canada last year in August.
Bigger Things
Volvo Group’s venture capital arm has invested in Waabi, a Toronto company which programs the software behind AVs. According to a Volvo press release, this comes from the OEM forecasting growth in autonomous trucking to further improve the safety and efficiency of trucks in the supply chain.
This represents another step up for the local startup, which has already begun testing a small fleet of Level 4 autonomous delivery trucks with Loblaws.
“Autonomy will one day transform trucking and logistics, but the self-driving industry has not solved this challenge, yet,” said Raquel Urtasun founder and chief executive of Waabi.
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