Part of a series of features on the tech industry and its impact on commercial vehicles, this piece looks at established firms and start-ups based around Toronto and in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, both situated in southern Ontario, Canada.

Algolux specialises in perception software to improve computer vision for advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous vehicles.

Under the Inflation Reduction Act, vehicles with a gross weight exceeding 14,000 pounds (6350 kg) can now qualify for commercial clean vehicle tax credits of up to USD40,000.

Westport has committed to investing up to USD10m a year over the next decade to support the construction and development of the new site, which it will undertake together with the local authority.

The credit facility is being provided by the Royal Bank of Canada and Export Development Canada to fund production of its Class 3 electric trucks.

‘OEV Canada Inc’, based in Toronto, Ontario, is already operational, and is headed by Roberto Bragagnolo, who will lead the provision of product sales and services in the country.

Biznek joins from industrial engine manufacturer, Kohler Power Systems, where over the last 10 years he served in the roles of General Manager of Marine & Power Solutions, Vice President of Global Operations & Supply Chain and as Vice President of Operations & Engine Development. 

Loop Energy comes off a bumper 2022, which saw the company achieve significant growth, including quadrupling the number of purchase orders and doubling its customer base and number of unit sales.

The reductions to fuel consumption in the next-generation of H3-45 intercity coaches have been largely achieved by changes to the exterior which make the vehicle more aerodynamic.

Waabi has developed an autonomous driving program which it taught using its own simulation software, which provides a set of driving scenarios to actively teach and assess AI drivers.

These right-hand drive chassis will be bodied by GML and delivered to customers in Malaysia for trial in Q1 2023.

Lion Electric is to offer a lithium-ion battery pack, produced at its Mirabel facility in Quebec, with final certification of the product set to take place in Q1 2023 before going into series production.