Electric Vehicle Technology

Electric vehicle (EV) technologies are a strategic part of research and developoment in the automotive industry. An electric vehicle can consist of a battery electric which operates soley on electricity. It can be recharged by a battery pack that plugs into a power grid. The hybrid electric is a battery-electric vehicle that has its own electrical generation device. There is also the fuel-cell electric which runs on electrical power that is generated by fuel cells. We all know that fossel fuels play a large role in the climate change. However, vehicles that are powered by electronic tehnology help reduce harmful gases this is partly because they are 99% cleaner than gasoloine powered cars. There are many benefits associated with EV's such include the greater than 96% reduction in Co2 emissions, a 90% reduction innon-renewable fuels and a 350% increaes in energy efficiency. Electric vehicles only require 25 units of energy to deliver 15 units of energy to the wheels. However, with internal combustion engines it requires 100 units of energy to produce the same 15 units. This is mostly due to heat loss, accessories and idling. The EV search has been driven by environmental regulatory pressures as well as the global competitive challenges of the automotive industry. The Canadian sector has an impressive record in specialized smaller size R&D projects and has developed a series of niche EV technologies of global automotive significance. This site highlights some Canadian EV technology companies.

Company Contacts

Agile Systems Inc.
Agile provides advanced solutions to motion control applications such as automotive, industrial vehicle, hydraulics, robotics, and automation by using the latest in Power PWM Amplifier and Smart Digital Control technologies. Agile is a technology leader in the established field of battery and hybrid powered industrial vehicles and is leveraging this experience to further advance technology for Electric Vehicles.
Contact: Daryl Prince, VP - Marketing,
440 Phillip Street
Waterloo, Ontario
Telephone: 519-886-2000
Fax: 519-886-2075

Ballard Power Systems
The developer and researcher of proton electron membrane (PEM) hydrogen fuel cells that offer potential for both remote stationary and mobile power generation. This firm is currently demonstrating their fuel cell in a bus and are highly sought after by major vehicle assemblers in their pursuit of the zero emission vehicle.
9000 Glenlyon Parkway
Burnaby BC Canada V5J 5J9
Telephone: 604-454-0900
Fax: 604-412-4700
Paul Howard, Vice President Transportation

Centre de Recherche Industrielle du Quebec (CRIQ)
A research organization interested in alternative fuel vehicle development including EVs.

Flywheel Energy Systems Inc.
Flywheel Energy Systems Inc. is dedicated solely to providing design, fabrication, integration and testing expertise to electromechanical battery systems and components. The company draws upon an extensive research and hardware development base to provide off-the-shelf components, customized products and testing services in the field of flywheel energy storage.

Hydro-Quebec
Interested in the development of electric power systems for electric vehicles. This firm has developed a battery system for Evs in conjunction with 3M Corporation.

Bombardier
A Canadian assembler of electric vehicles. The Neighbourhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) is being developed to focus on the niche market of gated paved communities that have need for limited drive range small vehicles. This firm brings its system engineering capability to the sector.

Ker-Train Systems Ltd.
A Canadian firm developing advanced powertrain components for the sector including continuously variable transmissions, gearing systems, and advanced clutches.