In a significant push towards sustainable urban mobility, Toronto-based SWTCH Energy, in collaboration with shared e-mobility provider Kite Mobility and the Ontario government, has successfully completed a groundbreaking EV charging infrastructure project aimed at transforming how residents in multi-tenant buildings access electric mobility.
Supported by a $500,000 grant from the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) R&D Partnership Fund and bolstered by $1 million in industry investment, the $1.5 million initiative targets a key challenge in EV adoption: limited electrical capacity in high-density residential buildings.
“Through OVIN, Ontario is proud to support forward-looking companies like SWTCH that are breaking down barriers to EV adoption with made-in-Ontario solutions,” said Vic Fedeli, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “We’re helping to build a modern EV ecosystem that supports growth, innovation, and long-term sustainability.”
The project was carried out at a luxury lifestyle resort community in Ontario, where SWTCH installed and tested 15 smart load-managed Level 2 EV chargers. Powered by the company’s proprietary SWTCH Control™ software, the system dynamically manages energy consumption based on real-time load demand—ensuring grid stability while enabling broader EV access.
“OVIN’s funding enabled us to demonstrate how our solution can integrate EV charging into multi-tenant buildings without straining local grids,” said Carter Li, CEO of SWTCH. “Our technology intelligently allocates power during off-peak hours and adjusts rates during demand peaks, proving ideal for high-density settings.”
Crucially, the project went beyond hardware. By integrating Kite Mobility’s reservation system for EVs, e-bikes, and e-scooters into SWTCH’s energy management platform, the initiative also introduced a seamless EV-sharing experience for residents. This not only expands clean transportation access but simplifies operations for property managers.
“By teaming up with SWTCH, we are accelerating electric vehicle-sharing services for Ontarian communities,” said Scott Macwilliam, CEO of Kite Mobility. “This project proves that EVs and charging infrastructure can be a value-added amenity for residents, not a logistical burden.”
SWTCH’s network currently manages more than 15,000 chargers across North America. Following a successful Series B funding round of $27.2 million in April 2024 and a prestigious certification by the Open Charging Alliance in June, SWTCH is positioning itself as a leader in the integration of charging technology and smart energy management.
Raed Kadri, Head of OVIN, underscored the broader significance: “Next-generation charging technologies are the key to accelerating Ontario’s shift to electrification. This project shows how Ontario companies are leading with innovation.”
Claudia Krywiak, President and CEO of the Ontario Centre of Innovation, added, “This collaboration is a model for how strategic investment and local ingenuity can build grid resilience, improve sustainable mobility, and unlock scalable growth for Ontario’s tech ecosystem.” With this milestone, SWTCH and Kite Mobility are charting a scalable roadmap for future-ready EV adoption across Canada’s growing urban centers.
