Canada announces funding programme for EV research and development
The new programme is headed by the National Research Council (NRC). It will bring together stakeholders from the light-duty automotive supply chain and academic institutions “to accelerate the development and deployment of EV technologies while convening Canadian R&D capacity,” the NRC specifies in the press release. These stakeholders can include small- to medium-sized enterprises, academics, governments and indigenous governments, academics, community partners, and non-profit organisations.
Grant funding is available for eligible collaborators. However, the NRC has not yet mentioned whether or not there is a specific amount earmarked for the programme. The “e-Auto Challenge” programme will officially kick off in mid-2025. The first proposals will be accepted in 2026.
Canadian portal Electric Autonomy also quotes Eddy Zuppel, acting director of the e-Auto Challenge program at the NRC: “There have been a lot of anchor investments, especially related to batteries and electric vehicle manufacturing…[but] there are gaps in terms of the supply chain. There is a need to support the industry fill these gaps” The goal is to fill these gaps “by helping industry in the de-risking of technologies with respect to electric vehicle components…[and] helping to create new suppliers.”
Areas of research will include the next-generation of electric motors, advanced power electronics, optimised battery systems, charging and other EV infrastructure, and connected and autonomous vehicle systems.
“The e-Auto Challenge program will speed up the growth of existing and new Canadian suppliers in the automotive industry by contributing to the de-risking and commercialisation of novel electric vehicle technologies,” the NRC adds in the announcement. Canada wants all new cars to be sold from 2035 to be zero emission. The NRC will present further details about the programme on 6 February 2025.
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