The University of Toronto has signed a multi-year partnership agreement with Nissan North America to advance electric vehicle- and grid-related research.
The partnership, facilitated by Climate Positive Energy, a U of T institutional strategic initiative that focuses on interdisciplinary clean energy research, is a joint collaboration between Nissan, the Electric Vehicle (UTEV) Research Centre and the Grid Modernization Centre (GMC) - both at U of T.
It will support a research initiative focused on enabling secure, scalable vehicle-to-grid (V2G) systems in North America, which allow electric vehicles to both charge from and supply power back to the grid.
"Our strategic collaboration with Nissan is essential to developing breakthrough research in cleaner mobility and energy storage," said Timothy Chan, U of T's associate vice-president and vice-provost, strategic initiatives, and a professor in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. "This partnership will not only accelerate innovation but also ensure that our research has real-world impact. We look forward to building solutions together that will shape the future of mobility for future generations."
Chan was joined by Atsushi Teraji, general manager, EV system laboratory, Nissan Motor Corp. Japan, for a signing ceremony at U of T's Hart House. The ceremony also included other senior officials from Nissan and the university, as well as Chris Scott, parliamentary assistant to Ontario's minister of energy and mines, who delivered remarks.
U of T's strength in vehicle research is demonstrated through the UTEV Research Centre, a university-industry research hub focused on advancing the next generation of electric vehicle technologies. Led by Olivier Trescases, a professor of electrical and computer engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering who is also principal investigator on the new research project, UTEV supports the transition to sustainable transportation through research in EV power electronics, automotive semiconductors, battery systems and charging infrastructure. UTEV brings together researchers across departments and collaborates with industry, utilities and governments to address critical challenges in electrified transportation.
Using edge computing, the new project will optimize smart charging and real-time energy management across electric vehicles, homes and the grid, laying the groundwork for a virtual power plant model that enhances grid reliability while protecting user privacy. The project promises to be a living example of multidisciplinary work at the university.
This interdisciplinary research is supported by an ecosystem of student and faculty design teams, specialized laboratories and academic expertise. By collaborating with Nissan, U of T aims to accelerate the commercialization of solutions that can make EVs not only greener modes of transportation but also integral components of resilient, decentralized energy networks.
The project will also benefit from the expertise of Baochun Li, a professor in the Edward S. Rogers Sr. department of electrical and computer engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, whose research in artificial intelligence and federated learning will inform data-driven energy management approaches.
Nissan is a recognized leader in the mass-market EV space and recently launched the third generation of its LEAF electric car, which is now available with vehicle-to-load (V2L) connections, enabling LEAF to power small- to medium-sized devices from the vehicle's battery. In other markets such as Japan, the all-new LEAF continues the nameplate's ability to deliver vehicle-to-home (V2H) functionality, allowing it to supply electricity back to a home or receive solar generated energy.
Nissan's continued investment in electric mobility includes ongoing research in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technologies that will allow EV batteries to serve as an essential part of sustainable energy sourcing. For example, EV owners could use their vehicles as mobile energy sources to power devices and even their homes during power outages, or to supply power back to the grid during peak demand situations to support balanced, greener energy generation. Through this new agreement, Nissan hopes to leverage U of T's advanced research to enhance the performance, efficiency and real-world deployment of V2G systems worldwide.
"Electric vehicles have the potential to not only decarbonize everyday transportation for drivers, but also to serve as a crucial part of smarter, greener, stronger electrical grids for the future," said Teraji.
"Collaborative research with the University of Toronto in this crucial field will help us develop real-world applications for the power of EVs and V2X technology."
Nissan is the latest partner to join the Grid Modernization Centre, which has already engaged more than 50 partners from the energy ecosystem including federal departments, industry and original equipment manufacturers, utilities, regulators, small- and medium-sized enterprises, startups, and industry associations.
Nissan's longstanding leadership in the electric vehicle space will enhance the new partnership by bringing valuable industry insights and real-world challenges that help ground academic research in practical applications, helping the Grid Modernization Centre advance Canada's commitments to reaching net-zero by 2050.
"Ontario is proud to be the engine of Canada's automotive and energy innovation," said Scott.
"This partnership between the University of Toronto and Nissan demonstrates how Ontario's world-class post-secondary research is driving advances in clean energy and next-generation vehicles. By leveraging our unmatched talent and innovation, Ontario is strengthening the automotive sector, protecting good-paying jobs today and building the strongest, most resilient economy in the G7 for tomorrow."
