Mine the gap

Canada’s opportunity to lead the race to an EV future

27 October 2022

2 min read

With many governments around the globe committing to an electric vehicle (EV) future and sixty per cent of new cars on Canadian roads expected to be EVs by 2030, the mining industry is primed to seize two pivotal opportunities: becoming a global leader in sustainable EV battery production and supporting domestic and global automotive sectors in developing robust EV manufacturing capabilities.

A sustainable mining industry is also essential to Canada’s carbon-free energy future—which includes eliminating internal combustion engine vehicles—and is a unique opportunity to propel the circular economy by re-envisioning the critical mineral value chain.

The mining industry has a key role in driving a more sustainable future. Capturing that opportunity will require targeted investment, strategic public and private partnerships, and implementing innovative and sustainable business processes and principles.

Canada’s opportunity to lead the race to an EV future

By 2030, 60% of new cars on Canadian roads are expected to be EVs¹

Canada currently ranks 1^st in North America, and 4th globally for raw material capacity in the battery supply chain²

43% of the world's mining companies are listed on Canadian stock exchanges³

The bridge to greener pastures

Ramp up production targets
Invest in diversified sources
Accelerate the exploration and mining of critical minerals in Canada, including addressing our lack of active lithium mining operations
Leverage government programs to train and hire a skilled end-to-end workforce
Build out a strong domestic exploration-to-electrification value chain
Develop domestic infrastructure to support operations

Invest in R&D to drive sustainable end-to-end value chain innovation
Incentivize extended producer responsibility across value and supply chains
Redefine end-of-life across the value chain using circular economy business models and principles
Think beyond extraction

Prioritize the conservation of biodiversity
Prioritize economic reconciliation with Indigenous communities
Develop a long-term strategy for reusing, repurposing and recycling minerals

Destination: a sustainable future

Canada’s EV sales targets are 100% of light-duty vehicles by 2035³ and 100% of medium and heavy-duty vehicles by 2040³. Global sales revenue for EVs forecasted to reach $737 billion USD by 2026 whereas EV sales in Canada expected to reach over $9 billion USD by 2026^4,5.

% by 2050

The production of critical ingredients for batteries — carbon, cobalt and lithium — needs to increase by almost 500% by 2050⁶

With innovative thinking and target-focused investment, Canada can mine the gap to success. Download the 'Mine the gap' infographic for a full roadmap to a sustainable future for Canada. Contact us to learn more.

Download the 'Mine the gap' infographic

Mine the gap

Canada’s opportunity to lead the race to an EV future

Mine the gap

Canada’s opportunity to lead the race to an EV future

2030 Emissions Reduction Plan – Sector-by-sector overview, Government of Canada, July 2022
EV Supply chain, Invest in Canada, accessed September 2022
Minerals and the Economy, Government of Canada - Natural Resources Canada, February 2022
Electric Vehicles - Worldwide, Statista Market Forecast, Statista, 2022
Electric Vehicles - Canada, Statista Market Forecast, Statista, 2022
Minerals for Climate Action: The Mineral Intensity of the Clean Energy Transition, The World Bank, 2020