As Canada braces for the impact of steep 25% tariffs on vehicles it exports to the United States, a missed opportunity is coming back into focus. Chinese automaker BYD reportedly expressed interest in investing in Canadian manufacturing but backed off after encountering significant pushback. With Trump’s new tariffs set to take effect on April 2, some are now wondering if Canada might need BYD more than it realized.

More: Canada Freezes Musk’s $43M Tesla EV Rebate Claim After Rapid-Fire Sales, Bans Future Subsidies

China’s ambassador to Canada, Wang Di, said moves made by the Canadian government have “seriously dampened” the confidence of Chinese companies to invest locally. For example, three Chinese mineral firms have been ordered to divest their assets, TikTok’s Canadian branch has been closed, and AI firm DeepSeek has been banned, all in the name of national security.

Why Canada Shut the Door on BYD

This hardline approach toward Chinese firms—including BYD—has been framed as a move to protect domestic industry, ensure national security, and align with US concerns. American officials, including former President Biden, had warned that Chinese automakers might try to use Canada as a backdoor into the US market. But with President Trump reimposing tariffs, the rationale for walling off Chinese investment may be shifting.

A recent report by The Logic suggests that if US-Canada trade alignment is no longer a priority, Canada might do well to reconsider its position. Letting BYD invest could bring clear benefits, especially with Canadian auto jobs now potentially at risk.

“BYD had carefully thought about coming to Canada to make investment. But they met huge difficulties, restrictions and obstruction, and they had to give up the idea of investing in Canada. And I heard that they have moved to other countries, and they have been very successful there,” Wang Di told The Globe and Mail.

Read: Chinese-Owned EV Brands Gain Momentum In Europe, Collectively Outsell Tesla

“If BYD was successful in investing in Canada, then I think the result would be the Canadian consumers would have been able to enjoy the EVs with the latest technology, with very good quality and with a cheaper price. Isn’t that a good thing?,” he added.

Too Little, Too Late?

If Trump’s tariffs force car manufacturers to shift more of their production to the United States, countless jobs could be lost throughout Canada’s auto manufacturing sector. Now, it’s Canada that may need BYD more than the Chinese automaker needs it.

However, that ship might have already sailed. According to BYD spokesperson Frank Girardot, BYD does not have any plans for manufacturing in Canada and will simply continue to service the company’s buses that some transit operators in the country use.

New Poll: American Voters Support Federal Investments in Electric Vehicles Broad, Bipartisan Support for EV Investments and Incentives that Lower Costs, Expand Access, and Help the U.S. Beat China in the Race for Auto Manufacturing WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new bipartisan national poll conducted by Meeting Street Insights and Hart Research finds broad public support …

The post Support for Electric Vehicles appeared first on Alternative Energy HQ.

Earlier this month, Tesla sparked outrage among Canadian auto dealers after selling an astonishing 8,653 cars in just three days across four stores, which equates to roughly two cars per minute for three straight days, including the hours the stores were closed. The company then filed for C$43.1 million (US$30M) in rebates.

That all unfolded right before Canada ran out of cash in its EV rebate fund. The combination of factors led officials to wonder if Tesla gamed the system somehow. Now, the Canadian government is freezing payments to the  EV maker led by US presidential adviser Elon Musk, while it sorts everything out.

More: Tesla Accused Of Gaming Canada’s EV Rebate Program After 4 Stores Sold 2 Cars Per Minute Wiping Out $43M In Grants

Everyone suspected that, as funds in the EV rebate program dwindled, sales would rise a bit. That would be great for Tesla in Canada, especially since it was struggling to move cars early this year. But selling 8,653 cars in just three days? That’s not just a boost, it’s a bit of a red flag. Something felt off.

The Freeze and a Tariff Twist

On Tuesday, Canada’s Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland made the call to freeze C$43 million (equal to $30M at current exchange rates) worth of payments. “As soon as I became Transport Minister, I asked the department to stop all payments for Tesla vehicles in order to fully examine each claim individually and determine whether all are eligible and valid,” Freeland said in a statement to the Toronto Star. “No payments will be made until we are confident that the claims are valid.”

But Freeland didn’t stop there.

“I also directed my department to change the eligibility criteria for future iZEV programs to ensure that Tesla vehicles will not be eligible for incentives so long as the illegitimate and illegal US tariffs are imposed against Canada” she added.

Freeland has also directed changes to eligibility criteria for future rebate programs, potentially making Tesla vehicles ineligible for subsidies until issues regarding U.S. tariffs are resolved.

By linking the issue to US tariffs, the Canadian government is addressing a situation that is largely beyond Tesla’s control, as tariff decisions are made at the national level. While the embattled CEO may have a close relationship with the American President, he doesn’t have the power to end the tariffs on his own. Currently, Trump is planning additional tariffs for April 2. However, he’s already backtracked and flip-flopped on his plans multiple times. Perhaps he’ll reconsider his strategy if Musk begins to feel the pressure.

A Sting for Local Dealers

Back in Canada, Freeland also mentioned that the government would reimburse more than 200 independently owned auto dealers who were left out of about CA$10 million after fronting rebates to customers without being able to file for reimbursement.

More: While Canada Fights Back Against Trump’s Auto Tariffs, Mexico Chooses Diplomacy Over Confrontation

Huw Williams, spokesman for the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA), welcomed the news.

“CADA has been shocked at the revelations that Tesla was somehow allowed to … take $43 million in rebates while locally owned dealers have been left holding the bag on funds advanced to customers on behalf of the federal government,” he told the Toronto Star. “While the news that Tesla payments are being frozen pending investigation is positive news, this should have happened months ago,” he added.

It’s worth mentioning that Elon Musk, who holds a Canadian passport and has sparked controversy by posting (and later deleting) on X that “Canada is not a real country,” has significantly benefited from Canadian EV rebates. Since 2019, Tesla has claimed $713 million in rebates, making it the largest recipient of these incentives by far.

Tesla was accused by the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) of cheating legitimate car dealers and buyers in Canada out of iZEV subsidies earlier this month. Critics have now grown even more suspicious after footage emerged of hundreds of new Tesla EVs left in disused parking lots.

Canadian media discovered huge fleets of brand new Model 3s and Model Ys languishing in the lot of an old strip mall in Toronto, conveniently located across the street from a Tesla dealership. Hundreds of miles away in Laval, Quebec, reporters founds scores more Teslas jammed into parking bays in another lot.

Related: Tesla Accused Of Gaming Canada’s EV Rebate Program After 4 Stores Sold 2 Cars Per Minute Wiping Out $43M In Grants

A staggering 8,600 cars were registered in just three days at four Tesla retail outlets in Canada, which breaks down as one car every minute, 24 hours a day for three straight days, even when the stores were closed. That kind of activity is highly unusual, but what really raised eyebrows was the timing of the sales flurry.

The sales came during a period when demand for Teslas in Canada had tanked, in part due to CEO Elon Musk’s association with President Trump, who has threatened to impose significant import tariffs and repeatedly suggested that Canada could become the USA’s 51st state. But the sales also occurred right before the country paused its iZEV electric vehicle subsidy program, leading some to suggests Tesla had gamed the system.

Tesla filed for C$43.1 million (US$30M) in rebates, which represented more than half of the remaining C$71.8 million (US$50M) allocated for EV rebates, and has left many Canadian car dealers out of pocket. They had fronted the discount themselves for each car they’d sold on the understanding that they’d be able to recoup the money from the Canadian government, but that might not now happen.

One dealer CTV News spoke to said he was C$400k ($279k) down because Tesla’s sales rush meant he hadn’t had chance to claim before the program was shut down.

More: Over 80 Tesla Cars Vandalized At Canadian Dealership In Possibly The Largest Attack Yet

Tesla better hope the vandals behind recent attacks on its cars and showrooms don’t watch the news, because hundreds of Model 3s and Model Ys parked up together sounds like a dream come true for protestors. We’ve asked Tesla—who famously disbanded its press team in the US—about the lots full of cars, but so far, we haven’t received a response.

Lead image Google Maps

Tesla’s ongoing battle with vandalism and protests seems to be showing no signs of letting up, and if anything, it’s only getting worse. In what’s possibly one of the largest attacks we’ve heard of so far, at least in terms of the sheer number of vehicles affected, over 80 Tesla cars were damaged at a dealership in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, on Wednesday.

Police responded to the scene after receiving reports of vandalism at the Tesla dealership. Upon arrival, officers discovered that over 80 Tesla vehicles parked outdoors had been damaged, including deep scratches, punctured tires, and possibly other forms of destruction.

More: Tesla Under Siege As Multiple EVs Set On Fire And Vandalized Across The US In One Day

“Police are currently reviewing CCTV footage and are asking the public for assistance in solving this crime,” said Hamilton Police in a statement.

This attack is just the latest in a series of incidents that have put Tesla in the crosshairs. Just days earlier, a suspicious fire at a parking lot in London, Ontario, left a 2025 Tesla Model S in flames, according to CBC. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, but police estimate the damage at around $140,000.

Tesla Booted From The Vancouver Auto Show

In another blow to the brand in Canada, organizers of the Vancouver Auto Show booted Tesla from the lineup earlier this week, citing security concerns. With the event kicking off today, the organizers feared that Tesla’s presence would attract angry protests and further vandalism. VIAS said it gave the company multiple chances to withdraw voluntarily, but Tesla refused. “The Vancouver Auto Show’s primary concern is the safety of attendees, exhibitors, and staff,” the show’s organizers said in a statement.

A Global Problem

These incidents are hardly isolated, with attacks against Tesla vehicles and dealerships popping up worldwide—though the US has certainly seen a disproportionate share. In fact, there’s been a troubling surge in vandalism targeting both private Tesla cars and the company’s locations, including dealerships and Supercharger stations, over the past few weeks.

More: Tesla Accused Of Gaming Canada’s EV Rebate Program After 4 Stores Sold 2 Cars Per Minute Wiping Out $43M In Grants

The intensity of the attacks seems to have spiked since former U.S. President Donald Trump appointed Tesla CEO Elon Musk to lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The department’s aggressive cuts to government spending, which led to widespread layoffs, have likely stoked rising tensions. Musk’s often controversial tweets on his X platform, which continue to stir the pot, certainly haven’t helped calm the situation either.

In Canada, however, the situation is more complex. The Trump administration’s increasingly combative rhetoric, including threats of tariffs and calls for annexation, has strained relations between the neighboring countries. Elon Musk, though not an elected official, has become a lightning rod for much of the criticism due to his prominent role in the administration. And with Tesla being his most visible and accessible venture, much of that frustration is being channeled directly toward the company and its products.

The electrified vehicle market is clearly on an upward trajectory, with sales reaching new heights in the first two months of 2025. While EVs and PHEVs still account for a smaller portion of total car sales in key global markets, the growth is undeniable.

According to data from RhoMotion, the first two months of 2025 saw a combined total of 2.4 million EVs and PHEVs sold worldwide, marking a 30% increase from the same period last year. Not surprisingly, China is leading this charge, with electrified vehicle sales there climbing by an impressive 35%, reaching 1.4 million units.

Read: Tesla Sales Crumble 45% In Europe, While EV Market Explodes 37%

Sticking with China, the data shows that sales jumped 76% in February compared to the same month last year. However, comparing February 2025 to February 2024 isn’t ideal, as Chinese New Year fell in the middle of February last year, but was at the start of the month this year. Nonetheless, sales from January and February show BEV sales have climbed 46% while PHEV sales have risen 22%.

Significant growth has also been reported across the US, Canada, and Mexico. Sales here are up 20% year-to-date. In Mexico, sales have more than doubled thanks to the arrival of new Chinese EVs, while in the US, EV and PHEV sales are up 28%. One possible explanation for the US is that shoppers are rushing to buy an EV before the $7,500 federal EV tax credit potentially gets scrapped.

European Growth

Europe, too, is seeing solid numbers, with EV sales up by 29% compared to last year. However, PHEV growth in the region has been more modest, rising just 2%. Notably, PHEV sales in France took a sharp dive (down 48%) after the government introduced a weight tax on plug-in hybrids.

“It’s been a solid start to the year for EV sales globally with a 50% bump in February compared to the previous year,” RhoMotion data manager Charles Lester said. “Much of the growth continues to come from China which are seeing a pure electric renaissance this year compared to the hybrid love affair of 2024. Despite high tariffs, their domestic brand, BYD, shows no signs of slowing down their home and international expansion.”

Four Tesla stores in Canada each sold an average of 30 cars per hour, amounting to 120 cars per hour across all four locations—essentially one car every minute, 24 hours a day…for three straight days. And yes, this includes hours when the stores were closed.

This extraordinary surge in sales conveniently coincided with Canada’s impending end of its electric vehicle subsidies, and it led to Tesla filing for C$43.1 million (US$30M) in rebates. This sum represents more than half of the remaining C$71.8 million (US$50M) allocated for EV rebates. Naturally, these details have left officials scratching their heads, wondering just how Tesla managed to pull it off.

Read: Trump Tariffs Go Into Effect, Canada Responds With 25% Retaliatory Tariff

Keep in mind that Tesla is struggling when it comes to sales in Canada right now. According to the National Post, deliveries nosedived some 70 percent between December 2024 and January 2025. When the Canadian government announced that it would soon end electric vehicle subsidies, it was expected that Tesla would see a small bump up in sales. However, a giant spike like this is a different ballgame altogether.

In total, it reportedly sold 8,653 cars in three days across four stores in Canada. The sales figures come from Transport Canada, which is the body that accounts for the rebates. According to the The Star, an official from that governmental body openly said “Tesla didn’t sell those cars that weekend.”

The Impact on the Rebate System

While these sales are a win for Elon Musk’s company, they left rival brands without access to the same EV credits. Tesla’s $43.1 million in rebates consumed more than half of the remaining funds for EV subsidies. By the time other dealers attempted to claim their rebates, the money had run out. And there were plenty of them.

According to the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA), 226 dealerships submitted rebate claims for 2,295 electric vehicles but still haven’t been reimbursed, leaving them collectively out by C$10 million. Additionally, in regions like Quebec, many dealerships are closed on weekends, effectively locking them out of this “sales rush”.

Dealers Left Holding the Bag

Terry Budd, who owns eight dealerships in Canada, was understandably shocked by the news. He told The Star that he hadn’t received any formal notice about the iZEV program’s end, only a warning from CADA that the funds were running low. Budd estimates he’s out $150,000 for rebates he submitted, with another $25,000 for those that were never processed.

“The deal’s done, and we’re shy that money,” Budd said. “Nobody can tell us whether we’re going to be paid or not.” When told that a single Tesla store in Quebec had reportedly sold 4,000 cars over the weekend, Budd couldn’t believe it. “There’s no way they delivered or sold that many cars in a weekend,” he said. “They cleared everyone else out.”

More: Tesla Sales Fall Off A Cliff Globally, Including Germany, Australia, And China

Huw Williams, a spokesperson for CADA, added, “These dealers, in good faith, gave customers the money for a program that is always refunded. They shouldn’t be left making a payment on behalf of the Government of Canada.”

Unlike most other dealerships, Tesla’s Canadian stores are company-owned and directly controlled. This gives Tesla an advantage in navigating rebate claims and the sales process, unlike independent dealerships that run their own operations.

Canadian officials, however, are questioning how Tesla managed to achieve such a feat.

“Tesla had a run on the bank,” said Williams. “Somehow, Tesla gamed the system. What we can’t figure out is how this could have happened without setting off alarm bells.” He even went on to say that it defies logic that Tesla could sell that many cars and that “the registration gaming of this may be inappropriate.”

A Gray Area?

Notably, Transport Canada has stated that there’s no rule against Tesla submitting rebate paperwork in bulk after sold cars are delivered. This could be what happened, but there’s still a lot of uncertainty about the exact details. Maybe more will unfold in the coming weeks—perhaps a few more alarm bells will go off.

President Trump’s trade war has arrived and it’s already having huge repercussions as stock markets are plummeting and retaliatory tariffs are going into effect. This means businesses and consumers will lose, on both sides of the border.

Starting in the United States, the Trump administration has targeted products from Canada and Mexico with a 25% tariff. It will “remain in effect until such time as drugs, in particular fentanyl, and all illegal aliens stop this invasion of our country.”

More: Car Prices Could Surge $12,000 Under New Tariffs With EVs Taking The Biggest Hit

The White House went on to claim that Trump was “implementing tariffs on Canada and Mexico under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to combat the extraordinary threat to U.S. national security, including our public health posed by unchecked drug trafficking.” The administration also pointed to a “sustained influx of illegal aliens,”  which are “overwhelming our schools, lowering our wages, reducing our housing supply and raising rents, overcrowding our hospitals, draining our welfare system, and causing crime.”

Canada wasted no time in responding as the government said it would “not stand by as the United States imposes unwarranted and unreasonable tariffs on Canadian goods.” As part of this effort, a 25% tariff has been applied immediately to a list of goods worth $20.7 billion ($30 billion CAD).

The moment U.S. tariffs came into effect this morning, so did the Canadian response.

Canada will be implementing 25% tariffs against $155 billion of American products.

Starting with $30 billion worth of goods immediately, and the remaining $125 billion in 21 days’ time.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 4, 2025

The list includes 1,256 items including “orange juice, peanut butter, wine, spirits, beer, coffee, appliances, apparel, footwear, motorcycles, cosmetics, and certain pulp and paper products.” Also included are pasta, firearms, and maple sugar / maple syrup.

It’s a long list and it will grow to $106.7 billion ($155 billion CAD) worth of goods if the United States maintains their tariffs on Canadian goods. Targeted items would expand to include electric vehicles, trucks, and buses. Other affected products would include fruits and vegetables, electronics, aluminum, and steel.

The Canadian government went on to note all options are on the table and they’re considering “additional measures.” These could include “non-tariff options,” designed to punish the United States.

Canada called the White House’s claims non-sense as “less than 1 percent of fentanyl and illegal crossings into the United States come from Canada.” The government also noted the tariffs will have “devastating consequences for the American economy and people” as they’ll “pay more at grocery stores and gas pumps, and potentially lose thousands of jobs.”

Officials went on to note “Canada is the top customer for U.S. goods and services … buying more U.S. goods than China, Japan, France and the United Kingdom combined.” The country is also the top export market for 36 U.S. states and 43 states export over $1 billion ($1.5 billion CAD) to Canada every year.

Aside from the official government response, Chrystia Freeland, a Member of the House of Commons and a candidate to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, repeated her threat to hit Tesla with a 100% tariff. She also told MSNBC that Canada could go after other companies affiliated with Elon Musk such as Starlink.

Mexico’s response was muted in comparison, but President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo said the country will have more to say on March 9. She also claimed that Mexico has taken major steps to address Trump’s concerns in the past 30 days.

If you’re thinking about buying a new car, you might want to hit pause and consider a few things first. A new study from the Anderson Economics Group (AEG) warns that prices are set to skyrocket due to Donald Trump’s 25 percent tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, which is confirmed to take effect on March 4. And while that alone would be a blow to your wallet, it’s just adding to the chaos already simmering in the automotive industry.

Read: Stellantis Chief Opposes Trump’s Tariffs, Suggests Another Way

The group based its findings on the proposed 25% tariffs against Mexico and Canada and a 10% tariff against China. Using those figures, it predicts that even small crossovers will see at least a $4,000 price increase. Large SUVs with “significant content” from Mexico would go up by roughly $9,000 and trucks would see a similar bump.

Electric Vehicles: The Biggest Losers

Electric vehicles will get hit hardest though. AEG believes they’ll see an increase of $12,000 on average. Combine that with the potential death of EV subsidies and that market could stall for some time. “That kind of cost increase will lead directly — and I expect almost immediately — to a decline in sales of the models that have the biggest trade impacts,” Patrick Anderson, chief executive officer of Anderson Economic Group, told Bloomberg. “You’ll see some model and trim types just disappear,” he said.

So, why are EVs getting hit harder than your standard gas guzzler? It’s all about the materials. “All electric vehicle makers are going to feel the pressure from those [tariffs], because they use way more steel and aluminum than a conventional combustion-engine car,” Marc Busch, professor of international business diplomacy at Georgetown University told CNBC. “So I have no doubt that this will get [Musk’s] attention, and I can imagine that that would be an added political pressure benefit in terms of retaliatory strikes by the European Union, Canada and others.”

Now, Tesla’s situation is interesting. They build their US-sold vehicles in Fremont, California, and Austin, Texas, but the parts? Many are sourced from China, Canada, and Mexico. For example, 15% of the Model Y’s components come from Mexico. They’re already scrambling to avoid a rise in the 25% tariff on Chinese graphite, a key material for lithium-ion batteries.

It’s worth noting that all three of the major US automakers produce vehicles in Mexico, Canada, or both. Ford manufactures the Mustang Mach-E, Bronco Sport, and Maverick in Mexico. Ram trucks are built in both Mexico and the USA, while GM’s Silverado is a product of all three nations involved.

Automakers Already Making Moves

In the meantime, automakers are doing what they can to counter the potential tariffs. Some are having suppliers build up stock. Others are storing parts in strategic locations to avoid getting hit with the tariffs. It’s clear that the automotive industry wasn’t expecting this and isn’t entirely sure what to plan for.

A union representative told Bloomberg that Ford is “racing product over the US-Canada border in anticipation of the tariffs.” In addition, it’s securing warehouse storage so that it can keep all of these parts secure and safe from the potential tariffs.

“We usually store them here (Ontariot, Canada) until we’re ready to send to the truck plants,” D’Agnolo said. “But they’re finding places in the states to store those engines so that they don’t get tariffed.” 

Tick-Tock: Tariffs Set to Hit March 4

With the tariffs set to take effect on March 4, it seems like there’s little time left to avoid the impact. Politico reported that Trump told reporters at the White House earlier today, “There’s no room left for Mexico or for Canada” to negotiate. “They’re all set. They go into effect tomorrow.”

President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron in the East Room at the White House on Feb. 24, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Monday that tariffs would be placed on Canada and Mexico, and additional ones on China, beginning Tuesday, a move that could affect the cost of goods anywhere from tequila to cars to iPhones.

While at the White House, and alongside Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, the president said he would levy 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico and additional 10% tariffs on China.

“The tariffs, they’re all set. They take effect tomorrow,” Trump said.

Trump said that there was “no room left for Mexico or Canada” to make a deal with the United States to avoid the tariffs, which are meant to punish those countries for fentanyl trafficking.

“Just so you understand, vast amounts of fentanyl have poured into our country from Mexico, and as you know, also from China, where it goes to Mexico and goes to Canada,” Trump said.

The comments came during an event at the White House to tout building new semiconductor manufacturing plants in Arizona.

Trump also argued that the tariffs would encourage Canada and Mexico to build car manufacturing plants in the U.S. to avoid being hit by the tariffs.

“What they have to do is build their car plants, frankly, and other things in the United States, in which case they have no tariffs,” Trump said.

Stocks quickly slipped after the announcement. Tariffs are essentially taxes on foreign goods that are paid by those importing the goods.

Trump initially walked back his threat of placing tariffs on Feb. 1 on Mexico and Canada, but still placed a 10% tariff on China. He gave Mexico and Canada a month to address drug trafficking and unauthorized immigration.

Last week, Trump said that he would instead place tariffs on April 2, and then over the weekend said March 4 would be the date for tariffs.

Democrats have raised issues with tariffs, especially those from states that border Canada.

Washington state Democratic Sen. Patty Murray said during a Monday press conference that Trump’s threats of tariffs have already impacted the U.S. – Canada economic relationship.

“We depend on our trading partnerships with Canada on a broad range of products and things,” Murray said. “We are already seeing our Northern communities that rely on tourism from Canada drop significantly because of the way they’re being treated.”

Minnesota Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar said during the press conference that the tariffs would harm farmers as well.

“This has been one of the, really, crown jewels of (the) American economy, the fact that we are able to export agriculture and have free trade back and forth,” Klobuchar said.

Jennifer Shutt contributed to this report. 

A 7-year-old boy from London, Ontario, was struck and fatally injured in a collision as he was getting off his school bus, reported CBC News.

The incident reportedly occurred on Monday afternoon, when the boy identified as Dante Caranci, was exiting his school bus and a passing vehicle struck him.

According to the news report, Caranci was rushed to London’s Victoria Hospital following the crash and was pronounced dead on Tuesday. London Police have not released many details of the crash.

A GoFundMe launched to help cover funeral costs and any other expenses had reportedly raised more than $91,000 as of Wednesday.

Police have not stated if charges are pending in the collision, and few details have been made public. Judy Madzia, the boy’s grandmother, told local news reporters that she had not seen any police report and was still unsure exactly what had happened.

Authorities have reportedly asked anyone with a dash cam who may have been traveling through the area between 3:45 p.m. and 4:05 p.m. to contact them.

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The post 7-year-old Struck and Fatally Injured in Canada appeared first on School Transportation News.

MONTREAL — The Lion Electric Company (NYSE: LEV) (TSX: LEV) (“Lion” or the “Company”), a leading manufacturer of all-electric medium and heavy-duty urban vehicles, announced today that it has reached a definitive agreement with Aéroport de Montreal to sell its innovation center facility located in Mirabel, Québec, for a purchase price of C$50,000,000, subject to customary purchase price adjustments and closing conditions.

All of the net proceeds from the transaction are intended to be used towards the partial repayment of the Company’s senior secured non-convertible debentures issued in July 2023, holders of which currently benefit from a first ranking hypothec over the immovable/real rights related to the innovation center facility. As a result, while the transaction is expected to reduce the Company’s long-term indebtedness, it will not impact the Company’s short term liquidity and cash position.

Closing of the transaction is expected to occur before the end of 2024, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

About Lion Electric

Lion Electric is an innovative manufacturer of zero-emission vehicles, including all electric school buses. Lion is a North American leader in electric transportation and designs, builds and assembles many of its vehicles’ components, including chassis, battery packs, truck cabins and bus bodies.

Always actively seeking new and reliable technologies, Lion vehicles have unique features that are specifically adapted to its users and their everyday needs. Lion believes that transitioning to all-electric vehicles will lead to major improvements in our society, environment and overall quality of life.

The post Lion Electric Reaches Definitive Agreement in Respect of the Sale of Innovation Center Located in Mirabel, Quebec appeared first on School Transportation News.

DRUMMONDVILLE, Canada- Micro Bird, a joint venture between Blue Bird Corporation and Girardin, will be expanding its manufacturing operations in Plattsburgh, NY. The company has confirmed the purchase of the Nova Bus facility on Banker Road, where it plans to build both electric and non-electric versions of its current bus products. Nova Bus is set to cease operations in Plattsburgh next year. This investment is part of a growth strategy to double production capacity and better meet the sustained and growing demand for its products, which are known for their superior quality, durability and value. This will also provide a considerable growth opportunity for the Blue Bird brand and its well established and reputable North American dealer network.

Eric Boulé, Micro Bird’s President and CEO, said, “We are very excited to begin this new chapter by expanding our operations in Plattsburgh, and by creating high quality job opportunities for our future colleagues. This investment confirms Micro Bird’s position as a leading manufacturer in the North American bus industry. We are also grateful for the strong cooperation and support from the Nova Bus leadership team and representatives from the state of New York, Clinton County, and the Town of Plattsburgh. “

Micro Bird ‘s investment in capital expenditure and training will create more than 350
full-time jobs over the next several years. This project is supported by the Empire State Development with nearly $10 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits and a $2.5 million capital grant from the North Country Regional Economic
Development Council.

“When Nova Bus announced they would cease operations at their Plattsburgh facility, I
immediately contacted company leadership and strongly advocated for solutions that
would capitalize on the current workforce and existing supply chain,” Governor Hochul
said. “Today, I am proud to welcome Micro Bird which we recruited to the North
Country where they can take advantage of our top talent, a thriving transportation
cluster and the major investments we have made across the region. New York’s
manufacturing sector is in the midst of a major renaissance and is a major driver of our
economy I look forward to a long and successful future for Micro Bird in New York
State.”

Majority Leader Charles Schumer said, “This Thanksgiving we have a little extra to
be grateful for in Plattsburgh thanks to Micro Bird’s fantastic investment to take over the former Nova Bus manufacturing facility. I called Nova Bus’s top leadership to urge them to do the right thing and find a new owner in the transportation lane to take over this plant, and I’m thrilled that Micro Bird is stepping up to start manufacturing operations keeping hundreds of good-paying jobs here in Clinton County. This will keep the North Country economy’s wheels in motion and provide good-paying job opportunities for hundreds in the Plattsburgh area. America’s buses will continue to be stamped ‘Made in Upstate NY’ courtesy of the world-class Plattsburgh workforce. I am grateful for Governor Hochul for her partnership and leadership in helping drive this deal to ensure Upstate NY remains a leader in transportation manufacturing.”

Nova Bus President Mr. Paul Le Houillier said, “From our earliest discussions with
Micro Bird, it was clear that they were the right partner with a similar manufacturing
profile who would benefit from Nova Bus’s skilled employees and the cluster of
suppliers in the Plattsburgh area. Choosing Micro Bird quickly became a win-win
choice. We are thrilled to have concluded an agreement with a company that will carry
forward the manufacturing footprint in the region for years to come and who will benefit from the same unwavering support we have received from both the Plattsburgh
community and the New York State.”

Micro Bird will progressively be hiring the skilled and experienced employees currently
working at Nova Bus Plattsburgh, building on the culture of excellence put in place by
Nova Bus. A close collaboration with Nova Bus has been established to ensure a
seamless transition. Site preparation will begin in January, including hiring of
employees. Start of production is scheduled for the Summer of 2025.

About Micro Bird
A joint venture between Girardin and Blue Bird, Micro Bird specializes in the design,
assembly and distribution of school and commercial buses, as well as electric motors,
through its subsidiary Ecotuned Technologies. Headquartered in Drummondville, the
company employs over 600 people. Manufacturing over 3,000 buses per year from its
Drummondville plant, Micro Bird is the largest bus manufacturer in Canada and an
established and respected leader across North America.

A joint venture company owned by Blue Bird and the Girardin that focuses on designing, assembling, and distributing commercial and school minibuses as well as electric powertrain solutions through its subsidiary Ecotuned Technologies. With more than 600 employees, the company’s headquarters are located in Drummondville, Québec. Micro Bird is an established leader in the school bus industry and Canada’s largest manufacturer of buses, producing over 3,000 buses annually from its Drummondville facility

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MONTREAL, Canada- The Lion Electric Company (NYSE: LEV) (TSX: LEV) (“Lion” or the “Company”), a leading manufacturer of all-electric medium and heavy-duty urban vehicles, announced today that the staff of NYSE Regulation of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) has determined to commence proceedings to delist the Company’s warrants with an expiration date of May 6, 2026 ticker symbol LEV.WS to purchase common shares of the Company from the NYSE. Trading in the warrants was suspended immediately. Trading in the Company’s common shares ticker symbol LEV and another series of warrants with an expiration date of December 15, 2027 ticker symbol LEV.WS.A will continue on the NYSE.

NYSE Regulation has determined that the warrants are no longer suitable for listing based on “abnormally low selling price” levels, pursuant to Section 802.01D of the NYSE Listed Company Manual.

The Company is considering whether it will require a review of this determination by a Committee of the Board of Directors of the NYSE. The NYSE will apply to the Securities and Exchange Commission to delist the warrants upon completion of all applicable procedures, including any appeal by the Company of the NYSE Regulation staff’s decision.

About Lion Electric:
Lion Electric is an innovative manufacturer of zero-emission vehicles. The Company creates, designs and manufactures all-electric class 5 to class 8 commercial urban trucks and all-electric school buses. Lion is a North American leader in electric transportation and designs, builds and assembles many of its vehicles’ components, including chassis, battery packs, truck cabins and bus bodies.

Always actively seeking new and reliable technologies, Lion vehicles have unique features that are specifically adapted to its users and their everyday needs. Lion believes that transitioning to all-electric vehicles will lead to major improvements in our society, environment and overall quality of life. Lion shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol LEV.

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