Toronto-based dynaCERT Inc. has created a specialized team to assist Canadian dealers in purchasing its HydraGEN technology through a recently launched feature of Natural Resources Canada’s Green Freight Program.

DynaCERT’s (DYA-T) Green Freight Program Task Force is spearheaded by Ed Cordeiro, director of sales for the Americas, and co-managed by senior executives Khoa Tran, director of finance, and Ishan Juneja, program coordinator.

HydraGEN is used in an engine to create hydrogen and oxygen gases through electrolysis at the point of combustion, resulting in lower emissions and fuel savings. The only extra ingredient is distilled water.

It is available in several models and designed for use in trucks ranging from Class 2 to Class 8, refrigeration units, power generators, marine vessels, construction equipment, mining and forestry equipment, as well as locomotives.

“Road vehicles are a key contributor to pollution in Canada,” Cordeiro said in a statement, noting the sector contributes a quarter of the country's emissions. “Such government incentives are a great tool to reduce risk and can motivate fleets to adopt cleaner options to build a more environmentally friendly transportation system for Canadians.”

The program was launched to provide financial assistance to fleets looking to implement new technologies that provide lower greenhouse gas emissions. Under this program, applicants can receive a maximum of 50 per cent of project costs up to $5 million from NRCan.

The application window closes November 13.

LG Magna to build Hungary facility

LG Magna e-Powertrain, the joint venture between LG Electronics and Magna International Inc. (MG-T), has announced it will build a new facility in Miskolc, Hungary.

Scheduled for completion in 2025, the 284,000-square-foot facility will start production with e-motors. The firm plans to offer a suite of electrified powertrain solutions from the factory in the future, including inverters and on-board chargers for the growing electric vehicle (EV) market.

It will be the joint venture’s first production operation in Europe since being formed in 2021. When initial production begins in 2026, the company expects to create roughly 200 jobs.

“This new facility seeks to amplify the growth of LG Magna e-Powertrain in the European market,” Cheong Won-suk, CEO of LG Magna e-Powertrain, said in a statement.

“Along with the facilities in Mexico, China and South Korea, the facility in Hungary will be critical as the company accelerates its position as a go-to mobility solutions partner in the fast-growing global EV market.”

Canada funds Quebec EV chargers

The Canadian government will invest over $29.4 million to provide 1,632 EV chargers – including 481 fast chargers – most of which will be installed in Quebec.

The province will see an additional 1,578 chargers installed under the initiative.

This follows the over $780 million federal investment in May to support the purchase of 1,229 electric buses in Quebec.

The funding provides for 18 projects, which include:

• $21.7 million to Hydro-Québec to install 1,194 chargers, including 385 fast chargers;
• $4.4 million to Canadian National Railway to support 62 fast chargers at train stations across Canada, including 12 in Quebec;
• $1.3 million to Les Pétroles R.L. Inc. to deploy 57 chargers across Quebec;
• $375,000 to Bell Canada to install 75 Level 2 chargers at Quebec workplaces;
• $300,000 to Syndicat des copropriétaires Lowney sur Ville to install 60 Level 2 chargers at multi-use residential buildings in Montreal;
• $133,775 to the Conseil régional de l'environnement et du développement durable de l'Outaouais to deliver 23 chargers across the Outaouais region;
• $88,311 to the Montreal-Trudeau International Airport to support the installation of 31 EV chargers;
• Funding to help install another 126 chargers across the province, all of which are to be available by 2025.

"As one of the largest fleet operators in Canada, adding thousands of electric vehicles by 2027 is a key initiative for Bell to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Jean-Luc Riverin, president of Bell Technical Solutions, said in a statement.

“This investment is a great step forward and directly aligns with our Bell for Better objective to achieve carbon neutral operations starting in 2025."

Funding was provided through Natural Resources Canada’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program.

Ballard-Quantron partnership delivers first fuel cell vehicle

Vancouver-based Ballard Power Systems’ partnership with Quantron has delivered its first zero-emission fuel cell EVs.

Ballard's partnership with the Augsberg, Germany-based company was first announced in September 2021. Ballard (BLDP-T) is one of the founding members of the Clean Transportation Alliance, which was started by Quantron.

Ballard's FCmove fuel cell modules were integrated into Quantron vehicles. These include the 44-tonne Quantron QHM FCEV heavy-duty truck and the Quantron QLI FCEV light-duty truck.

"We're excited to see the partnership with Quantron expand into the light-duty vehicle segment and increase fuel cell deployment into the critical last-mile transport market,” Randy MacEwan, Ballard’s CEO, said in a statement.

“Combining Quantron and Ballard's respective technical strengths and market expertise, our teams are committed to accelerate the adoption of hydrogen mobility in the freight sector by bringing high-performing fuel cell engines to market."

One European customer has already taken delivery of the first five units, the announcement states, and one of the vehicles has travelled 15,000 kilometres in daily operations during a trial program.

Hypercharge provides chargers for Bosa Properties

Vancouver-based Hypercharge Networks Corp. will provide 78 Level 2 EV chargers to the University District by Bosa Properties in Surrey, B.C., with installation to be complete by the end of 2023.

The sold-out project totals over 750 homes and includes 23,000 square feet of amenities for all residents.

"We are thrilled to partner with Bosa Properties to bring Hypercharge EV charging to residents and visitors of the University District," Chris Koch, Hypercharge’s (HC-NE) head of growth and partnerships, said in a statement.

"We're proud to be supporting Bosa Properties with a secured inventory of charging stations for quick fulfillment, plus providing wireless communications infrastructure throughout the entire development's parkade."

Bosa Properties, also Vancouver-based, works across residential, commercial and master-planned projects. Its residential portfolio includes over 20,000 homes that are built or under development.