Ontario growing electric vehicle and battery manufacturing

Ontario Construction News staff writer

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the next phase of his government’s auto strategy will secure production mandates for hybrid and electric vehicles, create a domestic battery ecosystem and position the province as a North American automotive innovation hub.

At Linamar in Guelph, Ford and Vic Fedeli, minister of economic development, job creation and trade, announced phase two of Driving Prosperity ― The Future of Ontario’s Automotive Sector to strengthen Ontario’s auto industry and make the province more competitive for new investments. New Initiatives in Phase 2 respond to the global demand for electric vehicles and will support domestic parts producers, workers, and innovators across the province, Ford said.

“Our government has a plan to unleash Ontario’s economic potential as we build up home-grown supply chains for electric vehicles and battery manufacturing,” Ford said. “This plan makes clear that Ontario is a world-leading partner in creating the best vehicles with the best labour force and clean energy. With this next phase of Driving Prosperity, we’re telling the world: we want your businesses!”

stock photo electric car charging
©CAN STOCK PHOTO/WELLPHOTO

Since the Driving Prosperity plan was launched in 2019, automakers have announced about $4 billion in transformative electric vehicle investments at Ontario assembly plants, including:

  • Ford with $1.8 billion to produce battery EVs and five new EV models at its Oakville assembly complex
  • Stellantis with $1.5 billion to upgrade its assembly plant in Windsor to build new electrified vehicles
  • GM investing $1 billion in its plant in Ingersoll to produce their BrightDrop EV delivery van, the first all-electric vehicle produced by a mainstream automaker in Canada

With a goal of building at least 400,000 electric and hybrid vehicles in Ontario by 2030, the plan will reposition vehicle and parts production through new automaker mandates for hybrid and battery EVs, establish and support an electric battery supply chain ecosystem that connects Northern Ontario’s mineral wealth with the manufacturing strength of Southern Ontario and invest in auto workers with skills training.

“Phase 2 of Driving Prosperity, together with programs like the Regional Development Fund, will have a real impact on regional economies across Ontario,” Fedeli said at the press conference.

“Phase 2 will support our talented workforce, harness the province’s many strengths across the sector, and leverage our critical mineral wealth in the North.”

Details are expected over the next few weeks.

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