Connect with us

Technology

New Request for Proposals and Tools to Deploy Thousands More EV Chargers Across Canada

Published

on

OTTAWA, ON, July 2, 2024 /CNW/ – From coast to coast to coast, Canadians are saving thousands of dollars a year on gas by rapidly making the switch to electric vehicles, with over 320,000 new electric vehicles registered in 2023 alone. The Government of Canada is taking action to make it more affordable for Canadians to purchase, charge and drive electric vehicles (EVs) across the country while driving toward a net-zero future, including by making it easier to access public EV charging through historic direct investments, research and partnerships with the private sector and other levels of government.

Funding and Request for Proposals

To advance these efforts, today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, launched a new request for proposals (RFP) under the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP). The RFP will support the deployment of EV chargers, including fast chargers, in public places across Canada such as highways and public lots. The RFP will also support the deployment of chargers at private locations, including multi-unit residential buildings, workplaces and where on-road vehicle fleets are serviced. Applications will be accepted until September 19, 2024. 

This funding will deploy thousands of new chargers across Canada, building on the Government of Canada’s progress to deploy 84,500 EV chargers across Canada, including through ZEVIP, the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB)’s Charging and Hydrogen Refuelling Infrastructure Initiative, and incentive credits under both the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard and the Clean Fuel Regulations. 

In addition to investments by provinces, territories, municipalities and the private sector, the federal government has supported approximately 20% of the nearly 30,000 public chargers that are operating in Canada. As a result, there were 70 percent more EV chargers in Canada in 2023 than in 2022, with thousands more on the way each year.

Supporting Deployment Through Tools and Research

Today, Natural Resources Canada released  Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure for Canada: Updated forecasts of vehicle charging needs, grid impacts and cost for all vehicle segments (2024 EV Charging Needs Report).The independently produced report assesses the country’s charging landscape, guides decision-making and informs investment needs, including by provinces, territories, municipal governments and the private sector.

The 2024 EV Charging Needs Report provides a detailed regional analysis of public and private charging needs for both light-duty vehicles and medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, together with related grid readiness requirements and investments. The report highlights that a coordinated effort is needed from all levels of government, industry, utilities and other private-sector stakeholders to continue to accelerate deployment.

Additionally, to help investors, stakeholders, provinces, territories and communities determine the most suitable locations for chargers, the Government of Canada has developed the National Public EV Charging Planning Map.

These evidence-based tools will support the deployment of chargers in the areas with the greatest public charging need, including along routes, highways and communities.

Canadians are making the switch to electric vehicles, reducing their energy costs while driving down emissions. The Government of Canada will continue to support them in accelerating toward a prosperous, net-zero future, including by ensuring all new passenger vehicles sold in Canada are zero-emission by 2035; by supporting the deployment of public charging stations across the country; and by building out a Canadian-made electric vehicle supply chain that creates sustainable, good-paying jobs for Canadian workers.

Quotes

“Canadians are making the switch to EVs because it’s a great way to save money while ensuring clean air in our communities and fighting climate change. We’re making electric vehicles more affordable and charging more available where Canadians live, work, travel and play. Today, we launched another funding request for proposals via the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program, which will help deploy thousands more chargers across Canada. This will put more Canadians in the driver’s seat on the road to a prosperous net-zero future.”

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources 

“Hundreds of thousands of Canadians are making the switch to an EV every year. They expect access to convenient, affordable and reliable charging — including in public spaces. Today’s call for proposals does that by investing in thousands more chargers and equipping the private sector and governments with the tools they need to deploy more chargers, faster.”

Julie Dabrusin 
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and 
to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Quick Facts

The federal government’s investment in EV charging infrastructure is supporting Canadians by reducing barriers to EV adoption while spurring investment and growth across Canada’s EV supply chain, including through Transport Canada’s Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles Program (iZEV), which makes zero-emission vehicles more affordable for Canadians and has received another $1.7 billion in Budget 2022; and,Budget 2024 announces the government’s intention to introduce a new 10-percent Electric Vehicle Supply Chain investment tax credit on the cost of buildings used in key segments of the electric vehicle supply chain for businesses that invest in Canada across three supply chain segments:electric vehicle assembly;electric vehicle battery production; and,cathode active material production.The Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) has made significant strides in the automotive and battery sector in recent years. Since 2017, the Fund has announced over $5.5 billion in funding toward the automotive and battery sector, of which approximately $5.3 billion has been directly in support of the EV transition.These investments include projects focused on producing battery materials, battery components and packs and on manufacturing EVs and developing vehicle components specific to low-carbon transportation (e.g., next-generation tires).Investing $3.8 billion in the mining, processing and recycling of critical minerals,Since 2016, the Government of Canada has allocated over $1.2 billion in funding to support the deployment of electric vehicle charging stations across the country.Since 2019, a total of over 40,000 EV chargers (Level 2 and Level 3) have been supported by ZEVIP.The 2024 EV Charging Needs Report provides an update to a 2022 NRCan-commissioned study, Updated Projections of Canada’s Public Charging Infrastructure Needs, based on changing trends in the EV market, charger utilization and assessment methodologies.As noted in the report, “The results are intended to support the Government of Canada — as well as provincial and municipal governments, utilities and other stakeholders — in planning to ensure that sufficient charging infrastructure will be deployed to support Canada’s targets”As of May 2024, NRCan’s infrastructure programs and the Canadian Infrastructure Bank’s Charging and Hydrogen Refueling Infrastructure Initiative had already committed funds for the installation of over 46,000 chargers across the country, with more than 14,000 of these federally funded chargers already in operation.EV charger deployment has seen significant growth: an average of 45 percent annually since 2016 and a jump to 72-percent growth between 2022 and 2023.With Budget 2023, the Government of Canada has now committed more than $40 billion to support Canada’s clean electricity sector, including related grid updates for EV charging infrastructure.This significant investment is building an EV charging network for Canadians, and we continue to work with all levels of government, industry, utilities and other private sector stakeholders to further accelerate deployment.

Related Information

Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure ProgramThe Canadian Infrastructure Bank (CIB) Charging and Hydrogen Refuelling Infrastructure Initiative (CHRII)2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Clean Air, Strong Economy Electric Charging and Alternative Fuelling Stations LocatorZero-emission vehicles: IncentivesBuilding a green economy: Government of Canada to require 100% of car and passenger truck sales be zero-emission by 2035 in Canada

Follow us on LinkedIn

SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

Elbit Systems Announces Underwritten Public Offering of 1,365,450 Shares

Published

on

By

HAIFA, Israel, May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT) (TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems” or the “Company”) announced today the public offering of 1,365,450 of its ordinary shares. All of the ordinary shares in the proposed offering will be sold by the Company. In addition, the Company expects to grant the underwriters of the offering a 30-day option to purchase from the Company an amount of additional ordinary shares of up to 15% of the ordinary shares offered in the public offering at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The ordinary shares offered in this offering are expected to be listed for trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. Elbit Systems intends to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes.

BofA Securities, J.P. Morgan, Jefferies and Morgan Stanley have been engaged to act as the joint book-running managers with respect to the offering of the ordinary shares.

The offering is being made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form F-3, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on May 21, 2025, which became effective immediately. The offering of ordinary shares is being made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus. When available, copies of the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, copies of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may be obtained from: BofA Securities, Attention: Prospectus Department, NC1-022-02-25, 201 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28255, by telephone (toll-free) at 1-800-294-1322, or by email at dg.prospectus_requests@bofa.com; J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, New York 11717, by telephone: 1-866-803-9204, or email: prospectus-eq_fi@jpmorgan.com; Jefferies LLC, Attention: Equity Syndicate Prospectus Department, 520 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022, by telephone at 1-877-821-7388, or by email at prospectus_department@jefferies.com; or Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, New York 10014.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. Any offer, solicitation or sale of these securities will be made in accordance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

About Elbit Systems 

Elbit Systems is a leading global defense technology company, delivering advanced solutions for a secure and safer world. Elbit Systems develops, manufactures, integrates and sustains a range of next-generation solutions across multiple domains.

Driven by its agile, collaborative culture, and leveraging Israel’s technology ecosystem, Elbit Systems enables customers to address rapidly evolving battlefield challenges and overcome threats.

Elbit Systems employs approximately 20,000 people in dozens of countries across five continents. The Company reported $1.9 billion in revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and an order backlog of $23.1 billion as of such date.

Company Contact:  

Dr. Yaacov (Kobi) Kagan, Executive VP – CFO
Tel:  +972-77-2946663
kobi.kagan@elbitsystems.com

Daniella Finn, VP, Investor Relations
Tel: +972-77-2948984
daniella.finn@elbitsystems.com

Dalia Bodinger, VP, Communications & Brand
Tel: +972-77-2947602
dalia.bodinger@elbitsystems.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Israeli Securities Law, 1968) regarding Elbit Systems Ltd. and/or its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), to the extent such statements do not relate to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions about future events. Forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions about the Company, which are difficult to predict, including regarding the completion of the offering, the satisfaction of customary closing conditions related to the offering and the intended use of the net proceeds from the offering. Therefore, actual future results, performance and trends may differ materially from these forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation: scope and length of customer contracts; governmental regulations and approvals; changes in governmental budgeting priorities; general market, political and economic conditions in the countries in which the Company operates or sells, including Israel and the United States among others, including the duration and scope of the current war in Israel, and the potential impact on the Company’s operations; changes in global health and macro-economic conditions; differences in anticipated and actual program performance, including the ability to perform under long-term fixed-price contracts; changes in the competitive environment; and the outcome of legal and/or regulatory proceedings. The factors listed above are not all-inclusive, and further information is contained in Elbit Systems Ltd.’s latest annual report on Form 20-F, which is on file with the SEC, and in the registration statement and prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus referred to above. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. 

Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither the Company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law.

Elbit Systems Ltd., its logo, brand, product, service and process names appearing in this press release are the trademarks or service marks of Elbit Systems Ltd. or its affiliated companies.  All other brand, product, service and process names appearing are the trademarks of their respective holders.  Reference to or use of a product, service or process other than those of Elbit Systems Ltd. does not imply recommendation, approval, affiliation or sponsorship of that product, service or process by Elbit Systems Ltd. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as conferring by implication, estoppel or otherwise any license or right under any patent, copyright, trademark or other intellectual property right of Elbit Systems Ltd. or any third party, except as expressly granted herein.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2017806/Elbit_Systems_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/elbit-systems-announces-underwritten-public-offering-of-1-365-450-shares-302462520.html

SOURCE Elbit Systems Ltd.

Continue Reading

Technology

Ultra-slim and highly intelligent: Roborock brings the Saros 10R to Australia

Published

on

By

Roborock’s slimmest model yet is designed to tackle family mess with precision and ease, marking a new era of household cleaning.

SYDNEY, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Roborock, a global leader in ultra-intelligent home robotics, has officially launched its latest robotic vacuum for its flagship Saros series – the Roborock Saros 10R – in Australia. Following the model’s launch earlier this year at CES 2025, after much anticipation Aussie households can now experience the intelligent cleaning power of Roborock’s slimmest robot vacuum yet — which is available from Roborock’s Official Online Store and Amazon Australia from today.

Designed to easily glide under furniture and into tight corners, the Saros 10R is built for the realities of busy family life — effortlessly handling tangled cords, crumbs and clutter with powerful suction and intelligent design. That same performance extends to pet-friendly homes too, with the Dual Anti-Tangle System delivering a 100% hair removal rate and zero tangling[1] — making it ideal for the more than two-thirds[2] of Aussie households that own a pet.

Smarter navigation for stress-free cleaning
Forget bumping into furniture or getting stuck on stray toys — the Saros 10R uses Roborock’s most advanced navigation system yet, StarSight™ 2.0. Powered by AI and a combination of smart sensors and cameras, it can spot and dodge up to 108 different household objects[1], from socks to charging cables.

Plus, the Saros 10R’s VertiBeam™ Obstacle Avoidance helps it navigate these obstacles more effectively, using an additional vertical laser to improve its field of vision. This means fewer bumps into skirting boards, furniture, and cables, keeping your home intact while ensuring a more thorough clean, especially around edges and tight spaces.

Ultra-slim body meets big power
At just 7.98cm tall, the Saros 10R is Roborock’s slimmest robot vacuum ever – designed to glide under low-profile furniture like beds, sofas, and sideboards. Despite its compact form, it delivers serious performance:

20,000Pa HyperForce® suction[3] – tackles embedded dust and pet hair with ease.AdaptiLift™ Chassis – automatically raises the vacuum by up to 10mm[1] to handle rugs, thresholds (up to 4cm), and uneven flooring.Dual Anti-Tangle System – combines a DuoDivide® main brush and FlexiArm Riser side brush to capture hair and debris while minimising maintenance.

Mopping made easy with smart lift function
The Saros 10R doesn’t just vacuum – it mops too. Its dual spinning mops scrub hard floors with precision, then lift automatically when crossing carpets or transitioning between rooms. This prevents cross-contamination and keeps clean areas from being re-soiled. Perfect for busy households, pet owners, or anyone wanting a true 2-in-1 clean with zero hassle.

The ultimate all-in-one charging and cleaning hub

To complete the hands-free experience, the Saros 10R is compatible with the new Multifunctional Dock 4.0, which introduces significant upgrades to further streamline the user experience. Key features include:

80°C hot water mop washing[1] – for more hygienic cleaningAuto mop removal – detaches mops when switching to vacuum-only mode or carpet cleaningFast charge (2.5 hours)[1] – gets the vacuum back to work quicklySmart power management – only charges what’s needed and supports off-peak scheduling

Together, these features reduce user input and increase cleaning efficiency, ensuring the Saros 10R is always ready to go.

Smarter app, smarter routines
With the Roborock app’s latest update, users gain more control than ever before. Roborock SmartPlan® 2.0 leverages AI and usage history to automatically adjust cleaning settings such as suction power, water volume, and even the cleaning route. The app also introduces convenient custom modes, automated mop washing after cleaning wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms, and compatibility with Apple Watch, smart widgets, and voice assistants – including Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple Siri Shortcuts, and Roborock’s own “Hello, Rocky!” voice control.

Pricing and Availability
The Roborock Saros 10R will be available in Australia from 22 May 2025 through Roborock’s Official Online Store and Amazon Australia, at a RRP of $2,899 AUD.

For more information, visit: https://au.roborock.com

-ENDS-

About Roborock
Roborock is a leading smart cleaning brand renowned for its intelligent cleaning solutions. With a steadfast dedication to becoming a global leader in smart appliances, Roborock enriches lives with its innovative line of robotic, cordless, wet/dry vacuum cleaners, and washer-dryers. Rooted in a user-centric approach, our R&D-driven solutions cater to diverse cleaning needs in over 15 million homes across 170+ countries. Headquartered in Beijing and with strategic subsidiaries worldwide, including the United States, Japan, Germany, and Australia, Roborock is committed to simplifying the way the world cleans. For more information, visit: https://au.roborock.com.

[1] Based on internal testing carried out by the manufacturer. Actual results may vary due to

environmental factors and software updates.

[2] RSPCA Australia knowledgebase

[3] Suction power values may vary by country or region. Please refer to information from your purchase channel for accurate details. Based on internal testing carried out by the manufacturer. Actual results may vary due to environmental factors and software updates.

 

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/ultra-slim-and-highly-intelligent-roborock-brings-the-saros-10r-to-australia-302461332.html

SOURCE Roborock

Continue Reading

Technology

Diverse, High-Impact Board Elected to Guide Next Phase of Growth for Tucows

Published

on

By

TORONTO, May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ – Tucows Inc. (NASDAQ: TCX), (TSX: TC) announced that eight director nominees were elected to its Board of Directors at the company’s Annual General Meeting held yesterday. The newly constituted Board brings a broad range of expertise across finance, technology, data analytics, and entrepreneurship—providing strategic leadership to help guide Tucows’ next chapter of growth and innovation.

“We’re pleased to welcome new and returning directors to the Tucows Board,” said Elliot Noss, President and CEO of Tucows. “Each of them brings valuable experience and insight, along with a clear alignment to our values. This refresh reflects a thoughtful evolution of our Board, and we are deeply grateful to our outgoing directors for their years of service. We’re confident this transition positions us well for the road ahead.”

The newly-elected Board members include:

Marlene Carl, the CFO of CHAPTERS Group AG, a German publicly traded investment company focused on scalable, long-term business models. Ms. Carl brings extensive experience in investment management and infrastructure financing—particularly in digital infrastructure and fiber network projects.

Lee Matheson, Partner at EdgePoint Investment Group Inc., and previously the co-founder of Broadview Capital Management. Mr. Matheson has significant public company board experience across technology and financial services, and has an extensive background in investment management, financing, and SaaS businesses.

Elliot Noss, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Tucows since 2001. Mr. Noss brings deep experience in internet infrastructure, software, and operational leadership, having overseen the launch and growth of Tucows’ businesses including Domains, Ting, and Wavelo.

Dr. Sandra Matz, David W. Zalaznick Associate Professor of Business at Columbia Business School and Director of the Center for Advanced Technology and Human Performance. A recognized leader in data-driven behavioral science, Dr. Matz focuses on how psychological traits influence consumer behavior and business outcomes.

Laurenz Malte Nienaber, Founder and Managing Director of LMN Capital GmbH, brings deep experience in investment strategy, technology, and governance. Based in Munich, Mr. Nienaber is known for his analytical rigor and hands-on approach to board leadership.

Allen Taylor, President of GTD Partners and former CFO of Trisura Group, has an extensive background in private equity operations, financial restructuring, and strategic investments. His previous leadership roles at Brookfield Asset Management and advisory roles bring wide-ranging financial and operational expertise.

Jeffrey Tory, Chair and Portfolio Manager at Pembroke Management Ltd., has nearly four decades of experience investing in North American growth equities. A CFA charterholder and adjunct professor at McGill University, Mr. Tory brings expertise in financial analysis, capital markets, and corporate governance—critical to supporting long-term value creation.

Stephan Uhrenbacher, a serial entrepreneur and investor, brings deep expertise in technology, sustainability, and startup acceleration. As Founder of Density Ventures and Sustainable Aero Lab, he has played a key role in mentoring innovative global ventures. He also previously held senior leadership roles at Qype, 9flats.com, and DocMorris.

These appointments underscore Tucows’ commitment to assembling a Board with diverse global perspectives and deeply relevant expertise to help steward the company’s long-term strategy, operational execution, and innovation across its business portfolio.

Voting results were as follows:

1. Election of Directors

Director Nominee

Votes For

% For

Votes Withheld

% Withheld

Marlene Carl

6,253,024

89.67

720,089

10.33

Lee Matheson

6,537,189

93.75

435,924

6.25

Sandra Matz

6,568,650

94.20

404,463

5.80

Laurenz Malte Nienaber

6,586,317

94.45

386,796

5.55

Elliot Noss

6,009,694

86.18

963,419

13.82

Allen Taylor

6,587,059

94.46

386,054

5.54

Jeffrey Tory

6,587,059

94.46

386,054

5.54

Stephan Uhrenbacher

6,587,203

94.47

385,910

5.53

2. Ratification of Appointment of Deloitte LLP as the independent auditors for Tucows for the year ending December 31, 2025:

Votes For

% For

Votes Against

% Against

Abstentions

% Abstentions

7,515,484

99.79

7,419

0.10

8,470

0.11

Final results on all matters voted on at the annual meeting of shareholders held on May 20, 2025 will be filed with the Canadian securities regulators and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About Tucows

Tucows helps connect more people to the benefit of internet access through communications service technology, domain services, and fiber-optic internet infrastructure. Ting (https://ting.com) delivers fixed fiber Internet access with outstanding customer support. Wavelo (https://wavelo.com) is a telecommunications software suite for service providers that simplifies the management of mobile and internet network access; provisioning, billing and subscription; developer tools; and more. Tucows Domains (https://tucowsdomains.com) manages approximately 24 million domain names and millions of value-added services through a global reseller network of over 35,000 web hosts and ISPs. Hover (https://hover.com) makes it easy for individuals and small businesses to manage their domain names and email addresses. More information can be found on Tucows’ corporate website (https://tucows.com).

Tucows, Ting, Wavelo, and Hover are registered trademarks of Tucows Inc. or its subsidiaries.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/diverse-high-impact-board-elected-to-guide-next-phase-of-growth-for-tucows-302462527.html

SOURCE Tucows Inc.

Continue Reading

Trending