Here's where Quebec is investing billions of dollars in the EV battery revolution
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
Aviation experts say Russia's air defence fire likely caused Azerbaijan plane crash as nation mourns
Aviation experts said Thursday that Russian air defence fire was likely responsible for the Azerbaijani plane crash the day before that killed 38 people and left all 29 survivors injured.
Police identify victim of Christmas Day homicide in Hintonburg, charge suspect
The Ottawa Police Service says the victim who had been killed on Christmas Day in Hintonburg has been identified.
Teen actor Hudson Meek, who appeared in 'Baby Driver,' dies after falling from moving vehicle
Hudson Meek, the 16-year-old actor who appeared in 'Baby Driver,' died last week after falling from a moving vehicle in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, according to CNN affiliate WVTM.
Boxing Day in Canada: Small retailers fear big shopping day won't make up for tough year
It’s one of the busiest shopping days of the year: Boxing Day sees thousands of people head to malls and big box stores to find great deals. But it's not so simple for smaller shops.
Raised in Sask. after his family fled Hungary, this man spent decades spying on communists for the RCMP
As a Communist Party member in Calgary in the early 1940s, Frank Hadesbeck performed clerical work at the party office, printed leaflets and sold books.
Sinkhole prompts lane closures on Interstate 80 in New Jersey
A sinkhole that opened up Thursday along Interstate 80 in northern New Jersey forced authorities to close the heavily travelled highway's eastbound lanes.
Cat food that caused bird-flu death of Oregon pet was distributed in B.C.: officials
Pet food contaminated with bird flu – which killed a house cat in Oregon – was distributed and sold in British Columbia, according to officials south of the border.
Police in New Brunswick investigating Christmas Eve sudden death
An unconscious individual was found in the 600-block area of Lancaster Avenue early Christmas Eve morning, and was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Pizza deliverer in Florida charged with stabbing pregnant woman at motel after tip dispute
A pizza deliverer in central Florida has been charged with pushing her way into a motel room with an accomplice and stabbing a pregnant woman after a dispute over a tip, authorities said.