Electric vehicle summer camp introduces students to auto industry jobs
Over 400 students in Sudbury, Ontario, are participating in a two-week summer camp focused on careers in the electric automotive industry. Organized as part of the “Electrifying the Future” project, the program aims to spark interest in northern Ontario’s automotive industry and EV development. Supported by almost $450,000 in funding from the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network and Ontario Centre of Innovation, the camp includes tours of Epiroc, Technica Mining, and Laurentian Chrysler, providing hands-on activities such as building miniature EVs and exploring Sudbury’s mining sector. The initiative seeks to educate students about the production of electric vehicles and inspire future talent for the automotive industry.
Battles brewing as Ontario, Canada push Ring of Fire mining to boost EV plan
Ontario and Ottawa are offering substantial subsidies to automakers for building lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) in the province, aiming to make the Ring of Fire, a mineral-rich region in northern Ontario, the core of their long-term EV battery manufacturing strategy. However, the Ford government faces opposition from local Indigenous communities, warning that the rush to develop the area without proper consultation and understanding of environmental impacts could be a “fool’s errand.” Mining in the Ring of Fire would require extensive road-building efforts and studies, and the government must gain support from Indigenous groups to proceed
Why ditching gas for electric cars hinges on Canada’s EV sales standard
The federal government in Canada is finalizing regulations to accelerate the electrification of cars, aiming to eliminate tailpipe pollution. Under the new regulations, automakers will be required to produce an increasing number of electric passenger vehicles until all cars made are electric. By 2030, 60% of all new cars and light-duty trucks sold in Canada must be fully electric, and by 2035, all new passenger vehicles sold should be electric. The Pembina Institute believes that implementing an EV sales standard is key to achieving Canada’s climate goals, as it could reduce emissions from the transportation sector by 42 to 46% below 2005 levels and align with the country’s commitment to a sector-wide emissions decline by 2030.
Tesla created secret team to suppress thousands of driving range complaints
In a Reuters special report, it was revealed that about a decade ago, Tesla rigged the dashboard readouts in its electric cars to display “rosy” projections of driving range, exaggerating how far owners could drive before needing to recharge. The company faced thousands of driving-range complaints from customers who expected better performance based on the advertised estimates and the in-dash range metres. Last year, Tesla created a secret “Diversion Team” in Las Vegas to cancel as many range-related service appointments as possible to deal with the overwhelming number of complaints. The team aimed to save Tesla money and reduce pressure on service centres. While most of the complaining customers’ cars likely didn’t need repair, Tesla created the complaints by hyping the range of its electric vehicles, raising consumer expectations beyond what the cars could deliver.
Electric vehicle users say travel plans have to be adapted due to unreliable charging infrastructure in Sask.
The adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in Saskatchewan is facing challenges due to a slow-growing charging infrastructure. As of July, there were 1,446 registered EVs in the province, but the lack of charging stations, especially in central and northern communities, is hindering their widespread use. Glenn and Shannon Wright, early EV adopters, emphasized the need for more charging infrastructure to make the transition to clean transportation easier. The couple is advocating for public service charging stations, removing provincial sales tax on EVs, and improving the accuracy of information about EVs to drive wider adoption.
