Ontario aims to become electric-car manufacturing leader

Ontario and the Canadian government are each investing $70.8 million in a project aimed at making the province a leader in electric-vehicle (EV) manufacturing.

Under Project Green Light, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada plans to begin assembling electric versions of its RAV4 sport utility vehicle in Woodstock, Ontario, under a partnership with California-based Tesla Motors. The RAV4 EV will be the first electric vehicle built in Canada.

Total investment in the project could eventually reach $545 million.

Ontario already manufactures more cars than any other state or province in North America, with the auto industry supporting around 400,000 across the region. With a goal of having one out of 20 vehicles in Ontario electrically powered by 2020, the province is offering consumer incentives of $5,000 to $8,500 for electric vehicles purchased or leased after July 1, 2010.