Parksville-based Canadian Electric Vehicles (CanEV) is developing electric-powered industrial work trucks to support the transition to a low-carbon economy with funding from the CleanBC Advanced Research and Commercialization (ARC) program.

“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.”

The $294,000 for the CanEV project will help 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. CanEV’s current Might-E Truck is a work vehicle designed for use by municipalities, campuses, malls, resorts, parks, airports and industries. A low-maintenance vehicle, the Might-E Truck 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, including higher rebates for tourism companies announced in January 2021.

“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.”

Since 1995, CanEV has been one of the only companies in B.C. manufacturing EVs. Not only does its project support B.C.’s transition to a low-carbon future, it 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.”

The ARC program supports the EV sector in B.C. by providing reliable and targeted support for research and development, commercialization and demonstration of B.C.-based EV technologies, services and products.

Quick Facts:

• The EV sector includes battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. It includes companies and organizations involved in all aspects of the EV supply chain – from raw materials to final consumer products – related to vehicles or vehicle components, fuel and infrastructure, and transferable technologies and services.
• B.C.’s EV sector is already delivering jobs and significant economic opportunities in the province, including:
  • an estimated 274 companies and organizations involved in all aspects of the EV sector;
  • 6,300 people in direct employment in the EV sector;
  • $622 million in direct contribution to the provincial gross domestic product; and
  • more than $1 billion in total economic output.

Learn More:

To learn more about Canadian Electric Vehicles, visit: https://canev.com/

To learn more about the Advanced Research and Commercialization program, visit: https://arcbc.ca

To learn more about the suite of CleanBC Go Electric programming, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/zeroemissionvehicles  

To read the news release on the Specialty-Use Vehicle Incentive program, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/23554

To learn more about the CleanBC plan, visit: https://cleanbc.gov.bc.ca/