Article Summary
Canada's federal government is investing $2.5 million to launch Electric Vehicle Innovation Ontario, a University of Toronto-led initiative that connects graduate researchers with Ontario-based EV companies to accelerate the development and commercialization of next-generation battery, charging, and mobility technologies.
- The federal government committed $2.5 million in funding through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
- Eight universities across southern Ontario participate, including Toronto, Waterloo, Western, Windsor, York, Toronto Metropolitan, Queen's, and Ottawa
- Graduate researchers are embedded directly within EV and mobility firms to work on battery systems, charging, power electronics, and AI-enabled software
- Industry partners contribute $45,000 toward each $90,000 researcher placement, with a total project value of $7.9 million
- The initiative is expected to generate over $30 million in economic activity and create meaningful jobs across southern Ontario
Ottawa, Ontario -- The federal government is investing $2.5 million to support a new University of Toronto-led initiative aimed at strengthening Ontario’s electric vehicle supply chain and accelerating the commercialization of next-generation automotive technologies.
The funding will support the creation of Electric Vehicle Innovation Ontario, a network designed to connect Canadian companies with advanced research talent and help bring EV and battery innovations to market. The investment is being delivered through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.
“AI and clean technology are vital to helping build a strong economic future for Canada,” Evan Solomon, minister of artificial intelligence and digital innovation and the minister responsible for FedDev Ontario, said in a statement. “Through this investment in University of Toronto’s Electric Vehicle Innovation Ontario, we are backing Canadian ingenuity to grow a world-class EV supply chain, strengthen our competitive advantage and create good, meaningful jobs.”
The announcement was made Friday by Karim Bardeesy, parliamentary secretary to the minister of industry and the member of Parliament for Taiaiako'n–Parkdale–High Park, on Solomon’s behalf. Bardeesy said the initiative is intended to help southern Ontario firms move faster while preparing them to compete globally. “By connecting companies with top R and D talent and leveraging advanced technologies, EVIO will help our local firms innovate faster, scale responsibly and compete globally,” he said.
Led by the University of Toronto’s department of computer science, EVIO will bring together eight universities across southern Ontario, along with industry associations, economic development organizations and EV employers. The participating universities include Toronto, Windsor, Western, Waterloo, York, Toronto Metropolitan University, Queen’s and Ottawa.
Under the program, graduate researchers will be embedded directly within Ontario-based EV and mobility firms, where they will work on applied challenges related to battery systems, charging, power electronics, AI-enabled mobility software and advanced manufacturing. Industry partners will contribute $45,000 toward each $90,000 placement, a structure intended to support innovation while offering researchers competitive compensation and industry experience.
Dr. Arvind Gupta, a professor of computer science at the University of Toronto and the scientific director of EVIO, said the model is designed to shorten the path from research to commercialization. “EVIO connects graduate researchers directly with industry, speeding up the development of advanced EV technologies while generating new IP and future economic growth for Canada,” he said.
Matched by industry and academic partners, the initiative has a total project value of $7.9 million and is expected to generate more than $30 million in economic activity. In addition to researcher placements, the network will develop tailored technology plans for participating companies, support commercialization efforts and connect firms with academic expertise to help scale EV, battery and mobility innovations in Ontario.
Solomon said the investment reflects Ottawa’s broader push to align innovation, skills development and clean growth. “This is how we build Canada strong: with innovation, skills and a clean economy that works for everyone,” he said.
New EVIO projects are expected to launch through 2026 to 2028. Since 2015, FedDev Ontario has invested more than $125 million in over 40 electric and zero-emission vehicle-related projects, supporting the creation and maintenance of more than 6,800 jobs across southern Ontario.
