Climate change and how best to address it remains a concern for Canadians. As a result, consumers are making lifestyle changes to do their part. This includes switching to Electric Vehicles (EV). According to Statistics Canada, in 2021, 5.2 per cent of all new motor vehicles registered in Canada were zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) — an all-time high. Almost one in four (22.9 per cent) of them were registered in Ontario. As consumer tastes for EVs increase, automobile manufacturers are pivoting to meet the demand.
In May 2022, Stellantis – a leading global automaker — announced it will be installing a flexible assembly line capable of producing battery-electric and hybrid vehicles at their Brampton plant. Previously known for building the Dodge Challenger and Charger, the plant will receive a provincial commitment of $132 million, with a matching investment from the federal government. The Brampton plant “is going to be transformed, fully modernised and beginning in 2024,” said Mark Stewart, Stellantis’ Chief Operating Officer. “The plant is going to introduce all new flexible architecture to support the company’s EV plans including full battery electric vehicles.”
The Stellantis investment further adds to the growing momentum of the City of Brampton’s advanced manufacturing sector. Home to leading automotive parts companies such as Magna International, Almag Aluminum, A. Berger Precision, ABC technologies & Hydroform Solutions Brampton is seeing parts being made for all the major OEMs, including Tesla to support the transition.
Brampton is Canada’s fastest growing big city, and 23 per cent of its sizable advanced manufacturing talent pool is working in the automotive industry. Brampton’s highly-skilled labour force is an essential resource needed to meet the growing needs of manufacturers.
As consumer demand for EVs continues to trend upward and the Government of Canada works toward achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, EV manufacturing in Brampton promises to be a key strategic addition to the city’s economy.
“We are building an asset map within the automotive sector to showcase the impacts of the supply chain and the readiness of Brampton’s auto sector,” said Andrea Williams, Advanced Manufacturing Sector Manager in the City’s Economic Development Office. “We are focused on building strong relationships with our existing businesses to ensure they have the necessary support and tools to transition into this new and exciting world of EVs.” Ontario’s auto sector is clustered along a corridor from Windsor to Oshawa, with five major automakers and hundreds of suppliers. Brampton is proud to be part of the second-largest automotive cluster in North America and continues to celebrate the investments being made into EV vehicles.