Researchers play a crucial role in advancing communities. Today, researchers from Cambrian College received a financial boost. Member of Parliament for Sudbury Viviane Lapointe announced $1 million in funding from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation towards Cambrian College’s new Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) Lab. This announcement is applauded Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages.

The new lab will be located within the Glencore Centre for Innovation at Cambrian College and will help foster a deeper mutually beneficial connection between local innovation and the mining and mining supply sector. The lab will be a specialized testing and development facility, where industry partners can develop, build, and test industrial electric vehicle (EV) powertrains, covering everything from motors to batteries. Through projects with industry partners, Cambrian College students will gain experience on the most cutting-edge EV technology, in turn better preparing them to meet industry needs and join a competitive job market.

Switching from diesel to battery electric is already a priority for mining end users, who view this transformation as an important part of reducing operational costs, improving worker health and safety, and combatting climate change. By offering access to cutting-edge technology, highly trained personnel, and students, Cambrian College aims to accelerate the shift towards battery electric vehicle adoption.

Quotes

“Cambrian College is a leader in research and development in our community and across Canada. With this $1 million investment, we’ve helped Cambrian’s talented research team to provide students with invaluable experience with the most cutting-edge technology. We’re also providing industry partners with a state-of-the-art space to develop, test and implement their industrial electric vehicles. The new Lab will position Cambrian, and more broadly our community, to become an exceptional leader in BEV.” – Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament Sudbury

“The future of mining is green, and it is great to see Cambrian College remain at the forefront of innovation to meet these trends. The $1 million in Federal investment for the Battery Electric Vehicle Lab is sure to help advance research in order to reduce barriers to green technology adoption for industry partners. Another win-win partnership and a key economic development initiative.” – Marc G. Serré, MP for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages

“This investment from CFI will help position Cambrian College and the region as a leader in the wider opportunity inherent in the electric vehicle supply chain sector,” says Bill Best, President of Cambrian College. “This is a unique facility for heavy industry, and we look forward to working with our partners to drive innovation in the adoption of BEVs.” - Bill Best, President of Cambrian College

“We are pleased to add our support to the Cambrian Battery Electric Vehicle Lab as it aligns with many of our goals in this space. Battery electric vehicle and equipment adoption is a priority area for Glencore and also contributes significantly to Glencore’s global carbon reduction targets. In Sudbury, we are developing our Craig Mine – Onaping Depth Project, one of the world’s first deep, underground mines wholly operated by battery electric-powered vehicles. As part of this process, we are actively collaborating with electric vehicle producers and other major mining companies to ensure that we are fully prepared for an all-electric mining operation in the near future. Cambrian’s BEV Lab will foster partnerships with original equipment manufacturers, other end user groups and students that could help us meet our goals.” - Peter Xavier, Vice President of Glencore’s Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations

“Greater Sudbury is all about mining, and as the industry moves towards battery electric vehicles, I’m really excited that Cambrian is at the leading edge of this trend and the possibilities that could mean for me as a student.” - Bradley Dwyer, Cambrian College Student