Twenty key players from across Canada’s zero-emissions vehicle landscape launched a ZEV supply chain alliance called Accelerate at the end of September.
The goal of the alliance is to create a forum for membersto collaborate, strategize, and advocate for any priorities related to accelerating the development of the ZEV supply chain in Canada.
“We’re in a race to become a global ZEV leader,” said Moe Kabbara, Acting Executive Director of Accelerate. “Accelerating Canada’s ZEV supply chain comes down to competitiveness and jobs. Acting now to create this alliance and to position ourselves for success in the rapidly changing automotive sector will ensure we not only retain existing jobs in Canada but also add new ones.”
The press release also states that Canada does not currently have a cohesive strategy, and that it lacks “the necessary industry alignment” to ensure long-term competitiveness. Accelerate plans to fulfill this need and provide support as markets transition towards ZEV technology.
The alliance plans to develop an industrial roadmap to build out the supply chain, engage in policy advocacy, and build-up collaboration among ZEV players in the market with the overall goal of attracting investment, securing public support, and creating a “talent pipeline.”
Accelerate said the importance of having a unified vision for all Canadian players in the industry is very important, and that initiatives like Accelerate will help to boost Canada’s domestic (ZEV) supply chain and help promote a successful green economy. At the same time, it will help to lower costs and it will create benefits for EV OEMs in all categories.
“Now is the time to act if Canada wants to be a global leader in electrification and we are happy to be on board with the alliance,” said Patrick Gervais, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Lion Electric and Chair, Accelerate.
The full list of Accelerate members can be found here: https://acceleratezev.ca/our-members/.
