In Hybrid and Electrical Mechanic Training? Why Canada is Becoming the Go-to Source of EV Batteries
As the world’s auto industry looks toward electric vehicles for the future, Canada has put itself in a great position to fill the need for a crucial component of EVs and hybrids, the battery pack. With significant investment already seen, Canada has multiple beneficial factors which have placed it in such an important position, such as its access to raw materials, the investment by both the Government of Canada and external investors, and the all-important Canadian workforce. If you’re considering hybrid and electric mechanic training, learn how and why you’ll be in such a great position as Canada becomes the go-to source for EV batteries.
Canada Has Access to the Necessary Raw Materials
When manufacturing an EV battery, specific critical minerals and metals are required. During your training to become a hybrid and electric vehicle mechanic, you’ll learn about the role that lithium, nickel, copper, cobalt, and manganese play when manufacturing an EV battery. Canada is the only country in the western hemisphere with a supply of all these critical minerals and metals within its shores. These raw minerals and metals are refined to make important battery components such as electrolytes, cathodes, and anodes. To meet the critical minerals and metals demand, it is estimated that 335 new mines will need to be developed in Canada by 2035. For such extensive increases to occur, investments must be made in the mining and refining industry.
There Are Local and International Investments
Canada has seen significant investments occur across the mining, refining, and manufacturing industry while also investing themselves. Some of the investments include General Motors, which invested about $633 million, LG Energy Solution and Stellantis, which invested approximately $5 billion, and Umicore, which will build a cathode active material factory valued at $1.5 billion. The Government of Canada invested its own $3.8 billion into its critical mineral strategy, which will benefit the development of critical mineral resources and value chains throughout Canada. This helps further strengthen the position of Canada in the global EV battery manufacturing sector. With such significant investments occurring, this will also benefit the workforce of Canada.
Canada Has the Necessary High-Quality Workforce
Apart from the availability of critical minerals and metals in Canada, there is also the Canadian workforce that is highly skilled and ready to assist the transition Canada will undertake to become the only Western country capable of start-to-finish production of EV batteries. The CEO of Umicore, Mathias Miedreich, attributed the high-skilled workforce of Canada as a “critical advantage” when deciding where to operate their new factory from. The new mines, factories, and research required for this sector ensure that the Canadian workforce will benefit from the investments made in the country, with new jobs becoming available and a competitive economy. As someone in hybrid and electrical mechanic training, you’ll also benefit from this investment.
How This Impacts You in Hybrid and Electrical Mechanic Training
During your training, you’ll develop an understanding of batteries, electric motors, transmissions, and everything else related to EVs and hybrids, as well as how to repair and maintain these vehicles. With the increased focus on EV batteries and electric vehicle manufacturing in Canada, Canadians are increasing their EV and hybrid purchasing. They are expected to continue doing so in the coming years. Canada intends to ban the sale of all gas-powered vehicles by 2035 and thus move forwards into a purely EV-centric auto industry. Therefore, with your training, you’ll be in a great position to fill the need for electric and hybrid mechanics in Canada as it begins prioritizing these vehicles.
Are you interested in attending a top-notch automotive school?
Contact ATC Surrey today to learn how you can get started.
