In the following blog post, Kyle Edmonds, MSc ’23, Joseph Lau, MSc ’23, and Kashish Mittal, MSc ’24, reflect on their recent experience at Ivey’s The Future We See Symposium. Leading up to the event, students were invited to participate in The Future We See Symposium Student Paper Competition. Five competitions took place, each tackling a different critical issue and judged by faculty members from various departments and institutes. The winning teams or individuals received $3,000 and the opportunity to attend the Symposium, where they led discussions around their paper topics during the event’s concurrent sessions on Ivey’s critical issues.
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Have you ever found yourself in a room buzzing with brainpower, where the future isn't just a concept, but waiting to be shaped? That's precisely what unfolded at Ivey's The Future We See Symposium — a convergence of business leaders and scholarly intellects exploring the nuances of the evolution of work, sustainability imperatives, and Canada's competitive landscape.
How did we get here?
An email circulated by Ivey posed a competition with a thought provoking query: How can Canada lead, in a world of existential environmental risks, emerging technologies and hyper, national competition lead in the development and adoption of EVs?
As hopeful EV owners ourselves, we focused on how Canada’s investments can affect the widespread adoption of EVs. We decided to embark on a mission to showcase our vision of Canada’s role in this electrifying era. Armed with potent tools honed at Ivey such as design and systems thinking, we cultivated an environment ripe for innovative solutions, researched Canada's current place in the EV industry, and spoke to a panel of leaders. Delving into the global electric vehicle industry brought us insights we had never imagined.
These findings led us to win the competition and revolved around the implementation of dynamic in-road charging, retrofitting ICE vehicles as well as an incentives and a marketing program to create “EVolution”.
Our approach to EVolution addresses three critical challenges: infrastructure gaps, consumer adoption, and policy concerns.
Watch our video on "EVolution":
In-road dynamic charging
Inspired by Sweden's electrified road project, we envisioned a Canada where roadways transform into conduits for seamless energy transfer. In-Road Dynamic Charging became one of the cornerstones of 'EVolution,' aimed at addressing concerns about range anxiety and public charging infrastructure gaps.
Our team proposed the establishment of a dedicated research consortium involving government agencies, private enterprises, and academic institutions. Drawing inspiration from Michigan, where they partnered with a startup to embedded coils in a one-mile stretch, we saw potential in collaboration and innovation. The focus on job creation, economic growth, and skill development solidified our belief that Canada's early adoption of in-road charging could position the nation as a global leader in sustainable solutions.
Retrofitting ICE vehicles
Recognizing the potential of existing internal combustion engine vehicles, we proposed retrofitting ICE Vehicles. Through a supportive policy framework, industry collaborations, and consumer incentives, our vision is to facilitate a smooth transition from ICE vehicles to EVs, with Renault paving the way with partnerships to provide retrofitting kits.
Incentive and marketing program
To complement our technological solutions, our team proposed an Incentive and Marketing Program. Clear incentives at the point of sale, continuous monitoring, and durable incentives were key principles guiding this initiative. This program aims to boost the success of both the in-road charging and retrofit programs, while tackling widespread misconceptions, such as EV range limitations.
Reflecting on expert insights from the Symposium's EV panel, a new question emerged for our team.
What if the future of transportation doesn't solely rely on EVs? Canada aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, with the transportation sector contributing a significant 20% of the country's current emissions. As Flavio Volpe, President at Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, rightly points out, there may be other innovations capable of delivering comparable results. The key is to remain adaptable and open to change. After all, government policies can shift, and new technologies can emerge. As we navigate towards a sustainable future, it’s essential to explore all avenues, not just the ones currently in the spotlight. The road to net-zero emissions by 2050 is a journey of discovery, innovation, and most importantly, adaptability.
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