EV BATTERIES

International attention 

Last week saw yet more global interest in Canada’s EV-making potential. Stellantis announced a $3.6-billion investment to retool its Windsor assembly plant and build “two new research and development centres.” The new research facilities include a 100,000-square-foot “battery lab,” set to be operational next year with a goal of “developing and testing battery electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid cells, modules and packs.”

And Canada’s streak of EV battery developments is showing no signs of abating, with Brazilian miner Vale SA recently inking a deal to supply Canadian nickel to Tesla, while Volkswagen has said it’s exploring “investment opportunities” in the country.

Indeed, the federal industry minister said recently that there are “very active discussions with a number of players” in Canada’s battery supply chain following meetings with executives from companies in the United States, Japan, and Korea.

'The Big Switch’

A new report from the Canadian Climate Institute, The Big Switch, finds that “aggressive changes” will need to be made to Canada’s electricity system to prepare for net zero. As more Canadians plug their cars and heating systems into the grid, capacity will need to double or triple by 2050, with 75% of the additional power coming from wind and solar. For further reading on Canada’s impending power problems, check out Clean Energy Canada’s 2021 report, Underneath It All.

The big shift

The flip side of the switch to cleaner electricity is the shift away from fossil fuels. Something that, according to this CBC story, could “solve massive geopolitical problems.” As one expert put it, “(oil) is a constrained resource. You can control access to it, you can manipulate prices in a way that you will never, ever be able to do with solar or wind.” And as Canadians swap pump for plug, gas stations will need to adapt too. But instead of being a death knell, EVs offer an opportunity for station owners that are prepared to diversify. In the words of one gas station owner in Ontario, “I feel we've got a very good future ahead.”

The case for a mandate

A key component of the federal government’s most recent climate plan was a zero-emission vehicle standard that will require automakers to sell only zero-emission vehicles by 2035. For context, transportation makes up a quarter of emissions in Canada. For anyone wondering why a mandate is one of the most effective ways to get more EVs on the road, Electric Mobility Canada’s Daniel Breton lays out the case in a new op-ed in the Globe and Mail. 

On track

The road to zero-emission cars is well-paved with policy. But what about rail? Despite representing a much smaller proportion of transportation emissions, railways are on their own journey to net zero, with both CN and CP testing battery and hydrogen locomotives. This CBC story explores how rail operators are exploring cleaner propulsion—and using Canadian technology while doing it.

‘Thunder and fire’

Hydro Quebec has announced a plan to connect the Algonquin community of Kitcisakik to its 99% non-emitting electricity grid, reducing reliance on costly and polluting diesel generators. The project name is “Animiki Ickote,” which is Anishinaabe for thunder and fire—or “electricity” when combined.

Green steel

ArcelorMittal, the world’s second-largest steelmaker, has successfully tested the use of green hydrogen to partially power a carbon-intensive part of the steelmaking process at its Contrecoeur facility in Quebec. Globally, the industry is responsible for between 7% and 9% of all direct emissions from fossil fuels. 

The power of procurement

In highly related news, my colleague Felix Whitton spoke to Energi Media about a new Clean Energy Canada report on how and why Canada should implement a “Buy Clean” policy. As Felix explains, the concept involves prioritizing lower carbon products (like cleaner steel) for public infrastructure projects, thereby growing the market and cutting emissions. For more, don’t forget to register for Clean Energy Canada’s webinar (at 10am PT / 1pm ET this Thursday, May 12).

The full cycle

Toronto-based battery recycling company Li-Cycle has struck a long-term deal to supply metals to commodities giant Glencore. As part of the agreement, Glencore will send old lithium-ion batteries to Li-Cycle, and the Canadian company will resupply Glencore with recovered metals including lithium, manganese, cobalt and nickel.

California powered by the elements

During a sunny day at the end of April, California powered 99.87% of electricity demand with wind and solar alone. While other grids have achieved this before, California is one of the biggest to do so. As this Bloomberg story reads, “(this) milestone points to a future full of zero-carbon power, with a great deal of variability; there will be new technologies and business models as well as room for further innovation.”

IMAGE & MEDIA CREDITS: The Argonne National Laboratory, licensed via Creative Commons