Karim Bardeesy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry and Member of Parliament for Taiaiako'n-Parkdale-High Park, announced a $2.5-million contribution to Electric Vehicle Innovation Ontario, led by the University of Toronto. (Photo: Matt Hintsa)
A new industry-academic partnership led by the University of Toronto will accelerate the development and commercialization of next-generation electric vehicle (EV) and mobility technologies.
In collaboration with seven other southern Ontario universities, Electric Vehicle Innovation Ontario (EVIO) will embed 37 highly skilled graduate researchers directly inside 20 Ontario EV and mobility companies.
Today, the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario announced a $2.5-million contribution to EVIO. Matched by industry and academic partners for a total program value of $7.9 million, EVIO is expected to generate over $30 million in economic activity, expand firm-level research and development capacity and accelerate the creation of new Canadian intellectual property in EV.
“AI and clean technology are vital to helping build a strong economic future for Canada,” said the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. “Through this investment in University of Toronto’s Electric Vehicle Innovation Ontario, we are backing Canadian ingenuity to grow a world-class EV supply chain, strengthen our competitive advantage, and create good, meaningful jobs. This is how we build Canada strong: with innovation, skills and a clean economy that works for everyone.”
The researchers will work on real-world challenges in battery chemistry, charging reliability, power electronics, mobility software, cold-weather performance and advanced manufacturing — areas critical to promoting EV adoption and strengthening Canada’s position in a rapidly evolving global EV market.
Karim Bardeesy with U of T graduate students following the announcement of the federal government's contribution to Electric Vehicle Innovation Ontario. (Photo: Matt Hintsa)
“EVIO connects graduate researchers directly with industry, speeding up the development of advanced EV technologies while generating new IP and future economic growth for Canada,” said Arvind Gupta, professor in U of T’s Department of Computer Science and scientific director of EVIO. “This is exactly the kind of partnership that positions Canadian innovators to lead globally.”
Industry partners contribute $45,000 towards a $90,000 project designed to enable companies to scale innovations while providing researchers with competitive compensation, hands-on experience and direct pathways into high-growth careers.
“EVIO is a strong example of what Canada can achieve when industry, academia, and government work together with purpose,” said Paul Slaby, managing director of Canada’s Semiconductor Council. Slaby noted that programs like EVIO help move ideas into the marketplace while strengthening the talent pipeline.
Beyond U of T, EVIO’s network of participating universities includes Queen’s University, Toronto Metropolitan University, University of Ottawa, University of Waterloo, University of Windsor, Western University and York University.
“EVIO represents the kind of industry-research partnership Canada needs to meet our ambitions: agile, market-driven, and anchored in scientific excellence,” said Charmaine Dean, vice-president of research and international, and professor in the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science at the University of Waterloo and chair of the EVIO Steering Committee. “By embedding top researchers directly inside firms, we are closing the gap between discovery and deployment. This is how we accelerate commercialization, strengthen Ontario’s EV ecosystem and ensure Canada remains a competitive force in the global economy.”
EVIO is modeled on internationally proven approaches, including Germany’s Fraunhofer Institutes and DARPA-style applied innovation teams, which have catalyzed breakthrough technologies across G7 economies for decades.
Interested in getting involved?
If you’re an EV or mobility company looking to advance your innovation agenda, connect with us today: evio.dcs@utoronto.ca