Project Arrow 2.0: Ontario Tech University’s next bold step into the future of transportation

OSHAWA, ONTARIO – Imagine an entirely Canadian-made electric car that defies conventional designs: sleek, futuristic, and engineered to be faster, smarter, and more environmentally friendly. This is the vision behind Project Arrow at Ontario Tech University—a groundbreaking initiative aimed at reshaping the future of transportation. 

Designated the lead academic institution in Project Arrow’s initial development from 2021 to 2024, Ontario Tech will continue to drive innovation in the next phase. As the official research and build partner for Canada’s Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA), the university leverages its engineering expertise and leadership to advance this impressive national project.

Arrow 2.0: Pushing the boundaries of innovation and sustainability  

With $11 million in new federal and provincial funding, Project Arrow will be Canada’s first homegrown zero-emission vehicle. The initiative unites Canada’s automotive leaders, including startups and major Tier 1 suppliers, with Ontario Tech’s leading experts and skilled students. 2024 Ontario Tech Automotive Engineering graduate Andrew Genovese, who worked on tasks such as body panel installation, subframes, suspension systems, brake lines, and motors during Phase 1, has since been hired by APMA and will continue to be engaged with Phase 2.

Arrow 2.0 development will take place at Ontario Tech’s ACE Core Research and Testing Facility, home to the world-class Climatic Aerodynamic Wind Tunnel. This facility is capable of simulating extreme weather from blizzards to hurricanes, ensuring Arrow 2.0 withstands Canada’s harsh winters. The university offers the ideal ecosystem for driving innovation and commercialization in the automotive industry.  

Project leaders will showcase the Arrow to global audiences at Hannover Messe in Germany, the world’s leading industrial trade fair, taking place Monday, March 31 through Friday, April 4.

Arrow 2.0’s development through 2028

Key features:

• A cutting-edge electric vehicle powered by artificial intelligence, machine learning, and sensors to enhance safety, efficiency, and reduce emissions.
• A futuristic, user-friendly interior with a digital dashboard and touchscreens for a seamless driving experience.
• The world’s first-of-its-kind 3D-printed carbon chassis—lightweight, durable, and energy-efficient—produced in just one week at Ontario Tech.
• Rigorous crash testing to ensure chassis safety and durability.
• Hands-on learning for Ontario Tech students from engineering, computer science, and business programs.

Arrow specifications:

• Capable of reaching speeds that rival traditional combustion engine vehicles.
• Equipped with a fully electric drivetrain and autonomous driving features.
• Constructed with environmentally friendly materials.
• Designed for long-lasting battery performance.

Advanced technology areas of innovation:

• Additive manufacturing
• Automotive engineering
• Aerodynamics
• Electrification and energy storage
• Battery chemistry
• Cybersecurity

Timeline: Archived links for Project Arrow at Ontario Tech

• October 2020: Ontario Tech named lead academic institution for  Project Arrow all-Canadian concept vehicle
• November 2021: Pointing Canada’s Project Arrow zero-emissions concept vehicle forward at Ontario Tech
• January 2023: Driving onto the world stage: The Ontario Tech Project Arrow story
• February 2023: Project Arrow: From the classroom to the world stage (Ontario Tech ‘Student Speak’ blog)
• July 2023: Getting up to speed: How Ontario Tech research development helped move Project Arrow forward
• August 2024: Ontario Tech lab wins Engineering Research Project of the Year Award for work on Project Arrow

Quotes

“ Project Arrow symbolizes what’s possible in Canada’s automotive industry when academia and industry partner to drive innovation. Ontario Tech was chosen as the build partner for its track record of on-time and on-budget innovation and its global reputation for research excellence in energy, automotive, smart mobility, and advanced manufacturing engineering. The Arrow is about creating a future where new and emerging technology is harnessed to make all of our lives better.”
- Dr. Les Jacobs, Vice-President, Research and Innovation, Ontario Tech University

“Project Arrow is about the entire Canadian movement into electric mobility, and creating a vision for a sustainable and innovative tomorrow. Canada has the power to change the automotive world.”
- Flavio Volpe, President, Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association

Media contact

Bryan Oliver
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
289.928.3653 (mobile)
bryan.oliver@ontariotechu.ca

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About Ontario Tech University
A modern, forward-thinking university, Ontario Tech advances the discovery and application of knowledge to accelerate economic growth, regional development and social innovation. We inspire and equip our students and our graduates to make a positive impact in a tech-focused world. For us, it’s not only about developing the next tech breakthrough. Understanding and integrating the social and ethical implications of technology differentiates us as university. Learn more at ontariotechu.ca.