Canada’s burgeoning electric-vehicle provide chain has acquired one other monetary enhance from the federal authorities.

Trade Minister François-Philippe Champagne says his authorities will give $27 million to Calgary-based E3 Lithium to assemble an $87-million plant specializing in lithium manufacturing.

E3 Lithium says the plant will likely be constructed between Edmonton and Calgary, which constitutes the corporate’s “giant useful resource space.” 

The ability would be the first step towards a full-scale lithium manufacturing plant that can produce as much as 20,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium, wanted for the electric-vehicle provide chain.

“This may allow the event of a sustainable, long-term supply of lithium provide, which is crucial to constructing electrical autos and an anchor within the North American provide chain,” the federal authorities stated in a information launch.

With out going into proprietary element, the undertaking is alleged to supply “a first-of-its-kind resolution that can permit for the manufacturing of high-quality lithium in a extra environment friendly method and in higher amount.”

The undertaking will create and keep 166 jobs. 

“Canada has every thing it must construct the EVs and batteries that buyers are demanding, and Alberta is vital to constructing that ecosystem and accelerating the low-carbon economic system,” Champagne stated in a information launch. “E3 Lithium’s groundbreaking expertise will play an necessary function in offering giant portions of battery-grade lithium to the auto trade.”

Champagne stated that by investing in Canadian lithium manufacturing, the federal government shouldn’t be solely guaranteeing Canada is prepared for the growing demand for domestically produced batteries, but in addition persevering with to help the nation’s crucial minerals sector in order that Canadians may have entry to the sources wanted to impress the transportation ecosystem.