Hello! Thank you for checking out this week’s EV North Newsletter!

Next week I will be MIA as I am attending the EV & Charging Expo in Toronto - reach out if you’ll be attending and want to meet up! You can also purchase tickets HERE.

This is the The EV North - a weekly newsletter that brings together some of the biggest EV news stories and delivers them to your inbox. There is a focus on Canada & North America but you’ll also find EV news from around the world!

Also, be sure to check us out on X / Twitter and LinkedIn!

In this issue:

• Lion Electric Faces Imminent Liquidation After Quebec Withdraws Support.

• RBC and Plug’n Drive Launch Cross-Canada “EVs Are for EVeryone” Tour.

• Magna Launches Autonomous Electric Delivery Vehicles in Toronto as Part of Ontario Pilot Program.

• Question for the reader: What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of the Canadian government removing EV tariffs on imports from China?

• Rivian Building New Supplier Park in Normal, Illinois to Support EV Production and Create Jobs.

• Tesla shares Megapack information video.

• AltoVolo Unveils Sigma: Three-Passenger eVTOL with 821 km Range and Hybrid Jet Design.

• + more!

Canada

Lion Electric Faces Imminent Liquidation After Quebec Withdraws Support.

Lion Electric, a leading Canadian manufacturer of electric school buses and commercial EVs, is facing likely liquidation after the Quebec government declined to provide further financial support. The company had been seeking a public bailout to enable a restructuring plan, but the provincial government’s refusal has all but sealed its fate.

Jean-François Nadon, a court-appointed administrator from Deloitte, confirmed that liquidation is highly probable, calling the government’s decision a “shock wave” for the company. Premier François Legault noted that Quebec could lose up to $140 million CAD previously invested in Lion Electric. The decision reflects shifting priorities, with Legault citing reduced EV commitments from the U.S. and broader geopolitical risks that have complicated Lion’s expansion.

Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Saint-Jérôme, Quebec, Lion once stood out as a key EV player in Canada. The company opened a manufacturing plant in Illinois and put over 1,100 electric school buses on Quebec roads. However, it faced significant operational and financial setbacks, including falling revenue—from $80.3 million CAD in 2023 to $30.6 million CAD in 2024—and vehicle delivery declines.

In late 2024, Lion filed for creditor protection in Canada and Chapter 15 bankruptcy in the U.S., laying off staff and attempting to restructure. The proposed recovery plan focused on core electric school bus production in Quebec and required $20–24 million CAD in public funding. With the province unwilling to contribute, Lion has reduced its workforce to just 12 employees and is unable to meet facility rent obligations.

Unless a last-minute buyer emerges, Lion Electric appears to be heading toward full liquidation—delivering a major blow to Quebec’s electric vehicle manufacturing goals.

Are you on Reddit? Check out our subreddit at https://reddit.com/r/evcanada 

RBC and Plug’n Drive Launch Cross-Canada “EVs Are for EVeryone” Tour.

A new electric vehicle education initiative is hitting the road across Canada. Plug’n Drive’s “EVs Are for EVeryone Tour,” powered by RBC, is bringing EV test drives and hands-on learning experiences to over 50 communities nationwide, aiming to reduce barriers to electric vehicle adoption—particularly in mid-sized towns and rural areas.

With more than 700,000 electric and hybrid vehicles now on Canadian roads, interest in EVs continues to grow. But concerns around affordability, charging infrastructure, and understanding EV technology still hold many back. This two-year national tour, launched in April 2025, is designed to help Canadians make informed decisions about driving electric.

Featuring a wide range of EV models from different manufacturers, the tour provides an opportunity to test drive vehicles in a low-pressure, educational setting. Stops are scheduled across Western and Eastern Canada, with kickoff events held at RBC branches in Kelowna, BC and St. Thomas, Ontario.

The tour includes two Mobile EV Education Trailers (MEETs)—interactive displays that stay in each location for two to four weeks—along with dynamic EV Roadshows. Visitors can learn about EV ownership, charging, incentives, and more through in-person experiences and expert guidance.

“Hands-on experience is one of the best ways to promote EV adoption,” said Thea Silver, Senior Director of Environmental Impact at RBC. “This tour is about making EV education accessible to all Canadians, no matter where they live.”

The program builds on growing momentum for EV awareness, with major automakers showcasing more electric models than ever at events like the 2025 Canadian International Auto Show, where over 40 EVs were on display.

For Canadians curious about electric driving, the “EVs Are for EVeryone Tour” offers a chance to explore the latest models, ask questions, and learn more about making the switch.

Magna Launches Autonomous Electric Delivery Vehicles in Toronto as Part of Ontario Pilot Program.

Magna International is set to launch its first fleet of fully driverless, all-electric delivery vehicles in Toronto this spring, following approval from Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation. The initiative is part of the Ontario Automated Vehicle Pilot Program (AVPP), which allows autonomous vehicles to operate under specific safety conditions.

The pilot will focus on last-mile delivery, using compact three-wheeled vehicles designed for small-package transport. Operating at speeds up to 32 km/h, these autonomous units will be limited to roads with speed limits of 40 km/h or lower and will avoid making left-hand turns for safety reasons. Each delivery vehicle includes locked compartments accessible only by the intended recipient via a unique code.

Neighborhoods included in the rollout are Ward 9 Davenport, Ward 4 Parkdale–High Park, Ward 5 York South–Weston, Ward 11 University–Rosedale, and Ward 12 Toronto–St. Paul’s.

Magna previously tested similar vehicles in Detroit in 2022, delivering pizzas with no reported safety incidents. The Toronto pilot will build on that experience, with additional layers of oversight. Each vehicle will be accompanied by a chase vehicle containing a human driver and passenger who can intervene if needed. A second supervisor at a Toronto-based control centre will also monitor and remotely operate the vehicles when necessary.

Although the City of Toronto is hosting the pilot, local councillors were not consulted, prompting concern from some officials about pedestrian and cyclist safety. Magna maintains that safety protocols, including human supervision and limited operating parameters, address those risks.

The company will start with one or two vehicles and expand to a fleet of up to 20, depending on the pilot's success. The vehicles are approved to operate for one year, and a formal report outlining the results will be presented to the city’s Infrastructure and Environment Committee by the end of 2026.

Question for the reader:

What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of the Canadian government removing EV tariffs on imports from China?

Let me know by replying to this email, emailing directly at or reaching out via X / Twitter or LinkedIn!

👋 Hello, one quick thing. If you’re enjoying this, can you do me a favour and forward it to a friend? Thank you!

EV Around the World 🌏

Rivian Building New Supplier Park in Normal, Illinois to Support EV Production and Create Jobs.

Rivian is investing nearly $120 million CAD to build a new supplier park in Normal, Illinois, located adjacent to its existing electric vehicle manufacturing plant. The project is expected to bring several hundred supplier jobs to the region and create nearly 100 direct Rivian jobs over the next two years. Construction is currently underway and scheduled for completion in 2026.

The new supplier park will allow key parts suppliers to co-locate near Rivian’s operations, helping to streamline material delivery, reduce transportation and warehousing costs, and increase overall production efficiency. Rivian plans to build an underground tunnel to connect the supplier park to the main factory, keeping operations off local roads and improving workflow.

Some suppliers will also conduct light manufacturing and assembly on site, while Rivian staff will handle part kitting and sequencing before materials move to the main plant.

The initiative is part of Rivian’s broader plan to ramp up production, including the launch of its upcoming R2 model in 2026. The new supplier park and a 1.1 million square foot expansion of the existing plant are both key components of this next phase.

The State of Illinois is supporting the project with tax credits, infrastructure funding, and incentives tied to job creation. The Town of Normal is also contributing through road upgrades and utility support backed by future tax reimbursements.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker stated that Rivian’s investment strengthens the province’s position in the clean energy economy by drawing in global suppliers and creating long-term employment in the EV supply chain.

Rivian currently manufactures all of its vehicles—including the R1T pickup, R1S SUV, Amazon Electric Delivery Van (EDV), and Rivian Commercial Van—at the Normal, Illinois facility.

Tesla shares Megapack information video.

CEO aside, Tesla is doing cool things! The Tesla Megapack is manufactured at the Megafactory in California which is the largest utility-scale battery factory in North America! Interesting and informative video below:

AltoVolo Unveils Sigma: Three-Passenger eVTOL with 821 km Range and Hybrid Jet Design.

AltoVolo, a London-based aerospace startup, has introduced the Sigma, a three-passenger electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed to compete directly with helicopters and redefine regional air mobility. The vehicle features a hybrid-electric tilting jet propulsion system that combines battery power for take-off and landing with liquid fuel for extended range.

The Sigma offers an 821 km range and a cruise speed of 354 km/h, significantly outperforming current eVTOL competitors. It also operates with 80% less noise than traditional helicopters, enhancing its suitability for use in cities and residential areas.

Weighing just 980 kg when carrying three passengers and measuring 4.8 metres in width, the Sigma is compact enough to land in tight spaces like driveways, rooftops, and private vessels. It is equipped with safety features such as a ballistic parachute and can remain airborne even if one jet fails. AltoVolo emphasizes a practical design intended to bypass traditional airport infrastructure, fixed schedules, and urban congestion.

Founded by Will Wood, a former design lead on projects for Aston Martin, Ferrari, and a U.S. eVTOL startup, AltoVolo aims to make private flight more accessible. The Sigma is targeted at individuals seeking personal and efficient point-to-point travel without the limitations of current urban transportation systems.

Following successful scale prototype testing, AltoVolo is progressing toward the launch of a full-scale demonstrator. A limited release of launch edition Sigmas will be offered to select customers starting in July 2025.

The Sigma is being positioned not only as a short-hop city vehicle, but also as a regional air mobility solution, extending personal travel options for those seeking speed, flexibility, and independence.

QuickEV

• Tesla brings back FSD transfer, offers $2,000 loyalty discount amid demand crisis.

• This Off-Road Toyota EV Feels Like It'd Be A Hit In The U.S.

• [VIDEO] Chevy Blazer EV SS Crush A Mountain-Climbing Range Test.

• Hyundai EVs Just Got A Lot Easier To Charge.

• [VIDEO] Kia EV3 - 1000km test.

• Mitsubishi’s New EV Is Coming Next Summer.

EV Tweet of the Week