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    CUTRIC invests nearly C$1 million in eCAMION project to develop new electric bus charging tech

    Oct. 1, 2020
    The project aims to lower operation costs of bus charging systems, reduce environmental footprints and cut the charging systems’ price in half.
    Related To: The Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC)
    CUTRIC
    Left, eCAMION CEO Carmine Pizzurro and, right, CUTRIC President and CEO Josipa Petrunic
    Left, eCAMION CEO Carmine Pizzurro and, right, CUTRIC President and CEO Josipa Petrunic

    The Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC) has committed a C$999,000 (US$750,758) investment in a project led by eCAMION to develop a new bus charging technology.  

    CUTRIC
    A screenshot of the virtual press announcement that CUTRIC is investing in a project to be led by eCAMION.
    A screenshot of the virtual press announcement that CUTRIC is investing in a project to be led by eCAMION.

    eCAMION will benchmark the performance of two competing charging technologies that will ultimately reduce the price of these charging systems from C$1 million (US$751,510) to C$500,000 (US$375,755). CUTRIC explains by charging at night and discharging during the day when needed, these innovative battery-based energy storage systems will also lower electricity and operational costs while shrinking environmental footprints. In addition to significantly reducing financial barriers faced by transit agencies, this supports the realization of the target of 5,000 electric buses in Canada by 2024, and the new federal pledge to exceed Canada’s 2030 climate goal and legislate the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. Durham Region Transit will be the first deployment partner in 2022.

    “To get 5,000 electric buses out on Canadian roads in the next few years and realize the long-term vision of the recent Throne Speech, we need to make electrification easy for transit agencies,” said CUTRIC President and CEO Josipa Petrunic. “Reducing the cost and complexity of charging systems is a critical step in helping transit agencies flip the switch and go electric with their buses in the near future.”

    This investment is also supported by another CUTRIC member, the University of Toronto. The university is working specifically on the development of software systems for battery energy storage systems for local distribution companies and power electronics, communication and software for electric vehicle charging. A total of nine jobs will be created at eCAMION and U of T as a direct result of the investment.

    eCAMION
    A mock up of the charging infrastructure.
    A mock up of the charging infrastructure.
    Carmine Pizzurro, CEO of eCAMION, said that “eCAMION’s energy storage-based charging product is designed to overcome the barriers to electrified transportation by allowing charging to occur without the need for expensive infrastructure upgrades, and by reducing the overall cost of electricity and operations for electric bus fleets.”

    This project highlights the enormous potential for Canadian companies to develop world-class products, as well as the immense export potential of low-carbon smart mobility technology. It also underlines the manifold benefits of investing in industry-integrated, university-led research in Ontario and Canada.

    “We are proud to support an investment in green, sustainable transit that not only creates local jobs, but keeps costs down for taxpayers by deploying innovative, cutting-edge technology,” stated MPP Donna Skelly, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Local companies like eCAMION, and projects like those established by CUTRIC, are examples of how we can come together to not only solve challenges our communities are facing, but create jobs and opportunity too.”