There are a few important manufacturers of the Canadian electric car. These are Electrovaya, Zenn, and Dynasty. Zenn successfully manufactured NEVs for years. These companies have managed to survive in a country where strip mining tar has in places become a popular profession.
Today, Zenn is involved with one of the more interesting developments of the electric vehicle. The development involves the use of promised but not proven ultracapacitor technology from Texas-based EEStor with whom Zenn has partnered. Many are skeptical at this point.
If EEStor can deliver what they describe, the results would be somewhat revolutionary for the world of electric vehicles, and electrical energy storage in general. Zenn is apparently a believer, and has stopped electric car manufacture in order to focus on the development of EEStor-powered Zennergy drive powertrains. The outcome will be interesting.
The Canadian Dynasty manufactures a line of sharp little NEVs. Dynasty has had its share of business problems, but is still going. Wish them well.
Electrovaya is a leading manufacturer of modern lithium based batteries. Electrovaya has been developmed along with...Exxon! This unlikely combination has produced an EV that may be functional, but seems to
lack form.
Magna EV
One other important Canadian electric car concern is the auto parts giant Magna International Inc. Magna has been working with Ford to produce the 2012 Ford Focus EV.
The company is restructuring, including the EV unit as part of a $863 million shares and cash deal. According to sources, the Focus project would continue uninterrupted.
Canadian EV Clubs
As for organizations devoted to the Canadian EV, there are a few alive and well:
Electrovaya has begun to install 1.5 Mega-Watt utility batteries. These giand batteries are really many smaller batteries packed together in a large storage unit. The unit will allow for utility leveling during periods of peak demand and supply.
