2021 Electric Vehicle market shakeup

Electric and Hybrid vehicles are poised to grow in 2021 as lithium mining exploration continues.

With recent news of GM’s commitment to build electric vans and expand their presence in the EV market, coupled with a number of auto manufacturers exploring the electric market, the fuel cell battery industry is set to grow in 2021 despite the pandemic’s challenges. The below list details announcements and organizations that have recently committed to electric vehicles or fuel cell battery production:

• General Motors – GM recently announced a $1B investment in a vehicle plant in Southern Ontario, and the deal was ratified by Unifor on Jan. 19. The investment will help to keep valuable manufacturing jobs in Ontario, and will transition the plants that were making the Equinox vehicle to the new BrightDrop EV600. Oshawa, Ingersoll and St. Catherines all stand to benefit from GM’s commitment.
• Kia – Kia announced a move away from automotive manufacturing at the beginning of the year, with their new slogan, ‘Movement that inspires’, and removing ‘Motors’ from their name to signify a move away from automotive manufacturing. What the entire extent of their commitment to ‘mobility solutions’ remains to be revealed, but part of it includes. Aplan to roll out numerous electric vehicles over the next few years.
• Lion Electric – Autobus Séguin recently ordered 60 LionC electric buses for use in Quebec. The zero-emission vehicles will be provided over a five year period. The order is the single largest order in the electric school bus industry. The electrification of Autobus Séguin’s fleet shows a commitment to emission-free school transportation, and this initiative will help to reduce 1,380 tons of GHG per year.
• Electrovaya – Electrovaya is supplying batteries for a subsidiary of Toyota Industries, Raymond Corp. Raymond manufactures and operates EV forklifts across warehouses and manufacturing centres in North America, including Home Depot and Walmart. Electrovaya’s new UL 2580 certification positions it strongly as a manufacturer of high energy density of lithium ion batteries, perfect for EV’s in use in industrial applications, and expansion into electric buses and other kinds of warehousing solutions.
• New Flyer – New Flyer Industries Canada has long been in the electric car manufacturing business, but just announced as of Jan. 18 that the city of Winnipeg has ordered a contract for 32 clean diesel buses to meet the growing demand for environmentally sustainable transit. The clean diesel technology has reduced emissions, and a near smoke-free engine. New Flyer also continues to explore electric battery recycling in a pilot project with Li-Cycle Corporation. The resource recovery project is supporting the growth of electrification by exploring end-of-life challenges associated with lithium-ion batteries.

There are a number of other mining companies involved in lithium mining as well (such as Frontier Lithium and Nickel Rock), and EV manufacturers (like Hyundai Motor Company’s IONIQ), working to grow the electric vehicle manufacturing market as well. 2021 is positioned to be another year of growth for the EV market as manufacturers continue to explore and improve upon electrification.