Lightning eMotors announced that Transport Canada has registered Lightning eMotors in its pre-clearance program. Transport Canada is a federal institution responsible for transportation policies and programs promoting safe, secure, efficient, and environmentally responsible transportation. This registration will enable Lightning to significantly expand its activity in the country.
Transport Canada registration adds Lightning’s Class 3-7 electric commercial vehicles to a list of vehicles eligible for Canadian funding programs. As a result, Canada’s fleet operators can choose Lightning eMotors for their fleet vehicle electrification needs. Lightning made its first delivery of zero-emission battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) to Canada in 2021. The company currently has about a dozen customers and partners across Canada. These customers include Canada Post, GoBolt, and Crestline Coach Ltd., as well as Frigid, Annex Distribution, Transmeda, Direct Bore, Cubex, 7Gen, and others, including a major Canadian grocery store chain.
Today, there are nearly 50 Lightning eMotors zero-emission vehicles on Canadian roads. These vehicles include the flagship ZEV3 and ZEV4 models in passenger, cargo, and refrigerated configurations. More than 100 of these Class 3 and Class 4 vehicles are currently in the company’s backlog of orders for Canada. An additional 1,000 vehicles are in the pipeline. Further, several partners including Toronto-based GoBolt have fleets across the US and Canada, opening the doors for additional international partners.
“A global leader in sustainability, Canada represents an important market in our international growth,” says Tim Reeser, CEO of Lightning eMotors. “Canada has a demonstrated interest in EV adoption, offering appealing funding options and forward-thinking electrification mandates that make fleet electrification not only necessary, but advantageous for Canadian companies.”
INCENTIVES TO ELECTRIFY
Canada’s nationwide Incentives for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicles Program (iMHZEV) target 100% of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles be zero emission by 2040. These targets apply to private transportation, utilities and logistics fleets, and more. In these sectors, Lightning eMotors has proven its ability to manufacture, sell, deploy, and support EVs that have amassed more than 2.8 million real-world miles.
To further help fleet owners reach these goals, Canada has introduced several grant programs:
- iMHZEV funding program delivering CAD $550 million over the next four years for point-of-sale vouchers for medium- and heavy-duty EVs
- Launched in 2021, the Zero-Emission Transit Fund invests CAD $2.75 billion nationwide through 2026 to support electrifying public transit and school bus fleets. Additionally, the fund will help purchase 5,000 zero-emission buses and build supporting infrastructure.
- Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program dedicates CAD $680M over the next five years to accelerate the provision of EV charging.
Having received Canada Transport registration, Lightning’s full range of Class 3 to Class 7 electric vehicles is now eligible for the above incentives. Further, Lightning’s team of experts can help Canadian companies take advantage of these programs and transition to electric fleets. Additionally, Lightning can advise customers operating in the US and Canada on using incentives from both countries.
Charlie Beckman, Lightning eMotors’ regional sales manager, says Canada sees the advantage and importance of EV conversion and offers funding. He says Lightning eMotors’ Canadian growth is promising, and the company is ready to support accelerated adoption.
In addition to Lightning eMotors’ EVs, the company’s EV-specific Lightning Insights telematics software, Lightning Energy, and Lightning Mobile charging solutions are also available to all Canadian customers, with seamless conversion to kilometers for all metrics.
Find out more, visit www.lightningemotors.com.
