Empowering Electric Mobility: SAJO’s Pioneering Role in the EV Industry

Advancements in technology to decarbonize road transportation, a sector which accounts for one-sixth of global emissions, has transformed the auto manufacturing industry worldwide, and ushered in a new global energy economy, with electric mobility in the forefront. 

Stringent emission norms and regulations enacted by government agencies, accompanied by sizeable public subsidies in the development of sustainable alternatives, have given the EV industry considerable traction in the marketplace. The European Commission’s Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA) and the United States’ Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) establish policies which serve to strengthen and expand domestic supply chain manufacturing and further accelerate EV production. 

In addition, competitive pricing, purchase incentives, tax credits, and the steady expansion of fast charging infrastructure are driving the growing popularity of EVs and exponential increase in global sales. It is estimated that by the end of 2023, nearly 15 million electric vehicles will be sold worldwide, a number which is expected to rise to close to 18 million units, in 2024. With China accounting for more than half of the world’s electric cars, its market dominance is unrivalled. The global EV market, which is valued at 388 billion (USD) in 2023, is expected to reach 952 billion (USD) by 2030, with a projected market share of 40% for China, 25% for Europe, and 20% for the United States. 

The core architectural technology of electric vehicles, consisting of a motor, battery, and electronic control technology system, is a clean energy alternative to a pure internal combustion engine (ICE) car based exclusively on fossil fuel propulsion.

The varying configurations of electrical vehicles fall into four main categories. The battery electric vehicle (BEV) is powered by a battery and a single or dual electric motor. The plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) runs on batteries and a gas-powered internal combustion engine. The hybrid vehicle (HEV) is charged by both an electric motor and battery system as well as a gas-powered engine and fuel tank. Finally, the fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) uses fuel cells and hydrogen gas to power its electric motor. Only the BEV and PHEV automotive systems are plug-ins and only the BEV model is fully electric and entirely charged by the electric power grid. 

The companies making their mark in the EV market are either pure EV automakers or established legacy car manufacturers that produce both EVs and traditional ICE vehicles. Companies such as Tesla and Rivian in the United States, VinFast in Vietnam, and Li Auto and Nio in China, fall into the former category. Auto giants such as General Motors and Ford in the United States; Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi in Germany; Renault in France; BYD in China; Nissan and Toyota in Japan; and Hyundai and Kia in South Korea, fall into the latter category. 

With a market cap of over $800 billion, Texas-based Tesla, notable for its supply chain manufacturing agility and high brand popularity, remains the largest EV company in the world. According to the 2023 second quarter rankings by TrendForce, Tesla is the frontrunner with 21.7% market share. China’s largest manufacturing conglomerate, BYD, is a close contender for first place with 16.2% market share, a rapidly expanding international sales portfolio, and large-scale manufacturing capability.  

Tesla fans and brand loyalists eagerly await the company’s imminent official launch of its first all-electric alternative to carbon-emitting pick-up trucks, the Cybertruck, notable for its endurance and unique, sleek, sci-fi-style design. Cybertruck | Tesla Canada

In the EV luxury sector, the California-based automaker, Lucid Motors, has overtaken top Tesla models, in range and charging speed with its elegantly designed, high-performance, luxury sports sedan, the Lucid Air. Its groundbreaking in-house powertrain technology has caught the attention of the legendary British automaker, Aston Martin, who has recently reached an agreement with Lucid Motors for use of its proprietary technologies to build its first electric car model, scheduled for 2025.Economies seeking to expand their EV footprint or foster mass adoption of EVs, are having to face notable challenges; namely, resolving the limited power generation capacity of existing grids, implementing a high-power charging network to meet consumer demand, and expanding the scope and capacity of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to ensure supply of component parts for the EV industry.

In contrast, increasing global electrification of both commercial and passenger vehicles calls for continual development in innovative technologies which will ultimately render EV production more efficient and cost-effective for automakers and consumers, alike.

For close to a decade, SAJO has played a part in furthering EV mobility, having built retail studio showrooms and service centers, for Tesla, Lucid Motors, and VinFast Auto as well as over one-hundred charging stations across the province of Quebec, for both Tesla and Quebec-based infrastructure networks.  

SAJO was entrusted by Tesla to build nine of its retail studios across Canada, notably in Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver as well as three other studios in the American localities of Southlake (Texas), Las Vegas (Nevada), and Scottsdale (Arizona). More recently, in partnership with SAJO as its general contractor, VinFast opened its first Canadian flagship at Yorkdale Shopping Center, Toronto’s upscale and premier shopping destination.

Since 2022, SAJO has also undertaken the construction of six Lucid Motors flagships located in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver as well as its most recent in Tysons Galleria in McLean, Virginia. The latter, a 25,500 square foot facility, opened in February 2023, after a twenty-week construction period. The project, which incorporated a studio design and service center in a single location, included forty-five parking spaces of which twelve had charging capability. As with previous projects, the new Lucid Service Center was completed on time and on budget and in keeping with the brand’s high-quality standards and design elegance.