Image: Torque Network
According to a press release, a $50,000 CAD investment in Toronto-based renewable energy company Ecohive from the government of Canada has facilitated the launch of Torque Network — the first social network for the electric vehicle (EV) tech community in Canada, also a first for the world.
The investment was announced on Thursday by Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., and the Torque Network app went live on the Apple App Store shortly after.
The app is currently designed to function as a social networking and educational platform, raising awareness for zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) and their benefits to empower Canadians to make an informed decision the next time they buy a car.
With features like peer-to-peer chats and moderated forums, the Torque Network also allows EV owners, enthusiasts, and industry experts to connect with like-minded individuals, grow their networks, and talk EVs with those who want to do the same.
“We’re giving Canadians the greener options they want to get to where they need to go. This is how we get to net zero by 2050”, said the Minister of Natural Resources.
The funding has been provided through Natural Resources Canada’s Zero-Emission Vehicle Awareness Initiative, which is designed to help the Canadian government reach its ambitious goal of banning the sales of new gas-powered vehicles by 2040 to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Through the initiative, the Canadian government has already invested over $600 million CAD in EV infrastructure, with plans to quickly populate Canada from coast-to-coast with competent charging stations, as well as incentives for both individuals and businesses that purchase ZEVs.
Canada has also invested an additional $150 million CAD in EV infrastructure and $287 million CAD in purchasing incentives under its climate plan, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy.
The Torque Network app is currently available across Canada on the Apple App Store. A version of the app for Android is in the works, and so are plans to expand into the U.S., Europe, and beyond.
