I attended the 2023 EV & Charging Expo in Toronto for work, but I also arrived early to have some fun before official work hours started. It’s an industry showcase of where changing infrastructure stands and what kinds of commercial electric vehicles are available. Everything from the (relatively) tiny Ford F-150 Lightning to the huge BYD tractor were on show as were electric city buses from Brampton and an electric yellow school bus.
I had the chance to get behind the wheel of a Ford e-Transit panel van, which drove like a light commercial truck (I’ve driven the Toyota Hiace and Ford E-450 for comparison) and had a well-calibrated regenerative brake. There was a huge line to try out the Ford F-150 Lightning, but I think that truck is overrated for commercial use.
All sorts of companies attended, cable manufacturers, charger makers, electricians that install chargers, and property managers. Most charger parts manufacturers had the capacity to produce their own chargers, but found the expertise was better left for the assemblers. Installers do both new builds and retroactive installations depending on building capacity and the money is where malls, office buildings and apartment complexes are—not in single-family homes.
Toronto Hydro showed to assure the industry that there will be sufficient capacity to charge EVs. If there is a need for additional power at peak periods, natural gas plants kick in, but people usually charge when electricity is cheaper at night. One company builds chargers with a battery inside so it charges the internal battery with cheap nighttime electricity for use during the day to reduce grid stress. Another company charges EVs on the street to serve those living in urban areas. Lots of interesting stuff.
