Cambrian College Gets $300K to Develop Mobile EV Charger for Mining Sites

Sudbury's Cambrian College has been awarded a $300,000 grant from Natural Resources Canada's Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP) to develop a prototype mobile EV charger for remote mining operations. The project targets one of the hardest segments to electrify: underground mining fleets operating far from grid connections.

Why mobile charging matters for mining

Underground mines are increasingly adopting battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) to eliminate diesel emissions and reduce ventilation costs — a major operational expense. However, fixed charging infrastructure is impractical in active mining faces that shift constantly as ore bodies are extracted. A mobile charger that can be relocated with the mining front solves this chicken-and-egg problem.

The Cambrian prototype is designed to:

• Deliver DC fast charging at up to 150 kW from a self-contained unit
• Operate on diesel generator or grid-tie input for flexibility
• Be skid-mounted or trailer-mounted for relocation by mine equipment
• Withstand underground conditions: dust, vibration, temperature extremes

Northern Ontario as a testbed

Sudbury's mining cluster — home to Vale, Glencore, and numerous contractors — provides an ideal real-world test environment. Cambrian's Applied Research division will partner with a local mining operator to pilot the charger underground in 2027. The college's Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) Lab, opened in 2023, already supports testing of electric scoops, trucks, and personnel carriers.

"Mining is one of the few sectors where electrification pays for itself through ventilation savings alone," said a Cambrian researcher. "But the charging infrastructure has to move with the face. That's the gap we're addressing."

Broader implications

If successful, the mobile charger design could be adapted for other off-grid heavy-duty applications: construction sites, forestry operations, and remote community microgrids. The project also aligns with Canada's Critical Minerals Strategy, which aims to decarbonize extraction of the nickel, copper, and cobalt needed for EV batteries themselves.

The $300,000 ZEVIP contribution covers 50% of eligible project costs, with Cambrian and industry partners funding the remainder. Prototype completion is targeted for Q4 2027, followed by a six-month underground trial.

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