Skip to main content

Here's where Quebec is investing billions of dollars in the EV battery revolution

Share

It is clear that Premier Francois Legault is intent on making Quebec a global leader for electric vehicle (EV) battery production and development.

He has earmarked billions of public dollars for production of vehicles and batteries in recent years, including the following projects.

Oct. 3, 2023: Northvolt, McMasterville and St-Basile-le-Grand

A $7-billion gigafactory for electric vehicle batteries for Volkswagen, BMW, Volvo and other cars, with the capacity to produce about 30 gigawatt hours of annual cell manufacturing.

  • Public funding: $2.9 billion from Quebec, $1.34 billion from Canada
  • 3,000 jobs
  • Estimated completion date: 2026

Sept. 6, 2023: Volta Energy Solutions, Granby

Solus Advance Materials subsidiary Volta Energy Solutions will produce copper foil for car batteries by retrofitting a facility to the tune of $750 million.

  • Public funding: $150 million loan from Quebec ($26 million forgivable). $70 million in green investment tax credits and other programs from Canada
  • 260 jobs
  • Estimated completion date: 2026

Aug. 17, 2023: Ford and South Korean partners, Becancour

Ford and its South Korean partners are building a $1.2-billion manufacturing plant for EV battery matterial.

  • Public funding: $322 million from Quebec and Canada
  • 345 jobs
  • Estimated completion date: 2026

May 29, 2023: General Motors (GM) - POSCO Chemical, Becancour

Canada and Quebec are partnering to invest in a $600-million factory that will make components for electric vehicle batteries.

  • Public funding: $300 million from Quebec and Canada
  • 200 jobs
  • Estimated completion date: 2025

Oct. 11, 2022: Rio Tinto, Sorel-Tracy

Rio Tinto will spend $737 million to increase critical mineral production at its existing facility, including expanding titanium production, adding lithium and quadrupling production of scandium.

  • Public funding: $222 million from Canada
  • 150 jobs
  • Estimated completion date: 2030

April 7, 2022: Prevost, Sainte-Claire, Beauce-Appalaches

Money invested for Prevost to accelerate the electrification of its vehicles.

  • Public funding: $22.6 million ($15.5 million loan, and $7.5 million grant)
  • No job numbers or completion date was given

March 4, 2022: BASF, Bécancour

German multinational BASF will build a $700-million cathode-active materials production and recycling plant.

  • No public money announced
  • 100 jobs
  • Estimated completion date: 2025

June 8, 2021: Nova Bus, Saint-Eustache, Saint-François-du-Lac

An $184.5 million upgrade to existing manufacturing facilities to reduce emissions, expand research to produce zero-emission transit buses.

  • Public money: $15 million from Canada
  • Maintain 1,100 jobs
  • Estimated completion date: unknown

March 15, 2021: Lion Electric, Saint-Jerome

An $185 million Automated battery pack assembly plant to make batteries for Lion Electric's commercial EV products, including school buses, transit buses, semi-trucks and bucket trucks.

  • Public money: $50 million from Quebec and Canada
  • Maintain 1,100 jobs
  • Estimated completion date: 2023 

- With reporting from The Canadian Press

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

How a viral, duct-taped banana came to be worth US$1 million

The yellow banana fixed to the white wall with silver duct tape is a work entitled 'Comedian,' by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan. It first debuted in 2019 as an edition of three fruits at the Art Basel Miami Beach fair, where it became a much-discussed sensation.

Stay Connected