Working group plans to bring cohesion and assistance to build up a stronger ecosystem of technology suppliers

Since the turn of the 20th century, automobile production has been a part of Canadian industry. Along the way, an expansive and robust auto parts supply chain has been established to serve vehicle manufacturing in both Ontario and across the U.S. 

But when it comes to electric vehicle technology in particular, that supply chain is still in its infancy, with gaps in development and products. Considering the global rise of EV production and adoption, especially in industrial powerhouses such as China, Canada risks being left behind without a collaborative focus. 

That’s why the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA) has formed a new working group, named the E-Mobility Council. Its mandate is to consolidate, assist and expand the network of companies across Canada that develop and supply parts and services to the EV industry. 

‘No coherent ecosystem’

Zeeshan Qadri is the marketing manager of Litens Automotive Partnership, an automotive parts supplier, and is also a member of the APMA. Early last year, he approached the president of the APMA, Flavio Volpe, with the suggestion of starting a working group specifically for the EV industry. Volpe agreed, and Qadri became the co-chair of the APMA’s new E-Mobility Council.

“In Canada, we have pockets of an EV supply chain,” Qadri says. “There is no coherent ecosystem here. [The industry] is very, very fragmented now.

“Potential OEMs who want to invest in Canada would like to understand how Canadian suppliers can support them. But who can give them that information if that information is not available?”

Four main focus groups

The council is divided into four main focus groups: battery technology, propulsion systems, EV policies and regulations, and thermal management. There have also been member suggestions for additional focus groups on software and charging infrastructure that Qadri and his team are considering.

“While we’re working on these focus groups, we need to look into how our supply chain is working together and where we have potential gaps, where we have strengths and where we have weaknesses,” says Qadri.

The group held its first meeting in January, where they laid out the objectives of the council to members. 

Its second meeting was at the EV & Charging Expo last month in Toronto. 

The council now has 32 members representing 23 organizations, ranging from Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers to municipalities, research institutions and industry associations from across Canada. 

Council partners do not have to be members of the APMA.

Global opportunities

EV sales and production are on the rise around the world, with China and Europe leading the way. In North America, however, the EV industry has taken a hit in the last couple of years.

With the removal of EV incentives on both sides of the border (reinstated here this year), sales dropped and American automakers pulled back current EV production, both in Canada and the U.S., and paused or cancelled plans.

But rather than scaling back, Qadri says a “full-steam ahead” approach for Canadian suppliers is even more important.

Many Canadian companies are already supplying EV technologies globally and Qadri sees great potential in the void left by a lack of American innovation in the EV space. Couple that with the fact that technology in the field develops so quickly, he says there is no place for hesitation in further developing Canada’s EV supply chain now. 

“If Canada keeps [advancing] in the next four or five years, when the Americans realize they need this technology, where are they’re going to go?,” he says. “If we have the technologies, then they’re going to come to us.”

Filling the gaps

This year, the E-Mobility Council will begin rollout on the focus groups, starting conversations and working towards their objectives. 

And that includes more collaboration with automakers, to better understand what they are looking for in the supply chain. 

By the middle of the year, Zeeshan hopes to have the whole structure of the group formalized and begin working on providing recommendations, identifying strengths and weaknesses in the supply chain and working to fill the gaps. 

His hopes are that the Council’s work to build a strong supply chain will bring new onshore opportunities and put Canadian suppliers on a world stage. 

“We want to create that network of suppliers here where they can cooperate and collaborate,” he says. 

“If there’s an awareness and knowledge that we have all this technology available, it not only helps the suppliers, but also potential OEMs who want to invest in Canada.”