A Parksville-based company has received a boost from the B.C. government in order to develop “innovative” electric-powered industrial work trucks.
Canadian Electric Vehicles (CanEV) has been developing the vehicles and will receive financial assistance from the government as the Province looks to support the transition to a low-carbon economy.
$294,000 will be committed by the government through the CleanBC Advanced Research and Commercialization (ARC) program in order to help CanEV develop the third generation of the low-speed Might-E truck and a new medium-duty truck that will achieve Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards to allow operation on any road.
“Under our CleanBC plan, we are moving to a future where new vehicles produce no air pollution at all,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. “To get there faster, we are supporting smart B.C. companies like CanEV to develop innovative technology. We are also offering rebates to businesses adopting commercial electric vehicles (EVs) through our CleanBC Go Electric programs.”
CanEV’s Might-E Truck is a work vehicle designed for use by municipalities, campuses, malls, resorts, parks, airports and industries. The government says the low-maintenance vehicle is able to outperform combustion vehicles, both financially and mechanically.
Eligible companies purchasing CanEV’s Might-E Truck can access rebates through the Province’s CleanBC Go Electric Specialty-Use Vehicle Incentive program.
“I’m so impressed by innovative businesses that are leading the way on our path to a cleaner, brighter future,” said Adam Walker, MLA for Parksville-Qualicum. “Through CleanBC, our government is supporting companies like CanEV to develop clean commercial vehicles, contributing to our joint fight against climate change while diversifying and expanding our economy.”
The government says that CanEV has been one of the only companies in B.C. manufacturing electric vehicles and this investment also helps create well-paying clean tech jobs on Vancouver Island.
The company is expected to hire two to three new employees in the clean technology and engineering areas for this project and hire additional employees when pilot-scale manufacturing commences.
“ARC’s investment in these vehicle developments will place Canadian EV technology at the front of a market sector that is set to explode in this decade. We are proud to be a part of Canada’s response to the global warming crisis,” said Todd Maliteare, president, Canadian Electric Vehicles. “We believe that B.C.-based EV manufacturing has a bright future, as well as manufacturing in all green tech industries, supporting new jobs and reinforcing B.C.’s position as a leader in climate change action.”
B.C.’s EV sector – which includes all aspects of the EV supply chain, from raw materials to final consumer products – has an estimated 6,300 people currently in direct employment.
Graham Cox
