The project is a partnership between Magna and GM, partly financed by a grant from the Ontario government.

Magna E-Car Systems announced that it has built a fleet of nine electric vehicles based on Chevy’s popular Equinox crossover. The project is a partnership between Magna and GM, partly financed by a grant from the Ontario government.

Canada-based Magna designs and manufactures a wide range of EV components, including lithium-ion batteries, motors, onboard chargers and powertrain control modules. Each of the Equinox EVs is powered by Magna’s 105kW motor and 33kWh battery pack.  The two companies’ team of boffins will be putting the cars through a righteous regimen of tests, to see what kind of range, top speed and other performance figures they can squeeze out of a car this size.

“Collaboration between automakers, suppliers, utility companies and the government is essential in order to develop solutions for future mobility,” said Ted Robertson, Vice Chairman, Magna E-Car Systems. “Such collaboration can enhance innovation and reduce costs, particularly in fleet projects such as this where the resulting data and lessons learned are useful to all participants.”

Image: Chevrolet