Kiwi Charge, a Canadian robotics and AI startup, has launched an autonomous electric vehicle charging project backed by $1.7 million in funding. The investment comes from the Government of Ontario through the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), along with support from General Motors Canada and Pfaff Automotive.
The funding package includes a $500,000 grant through the OVIN R&D Partnership Fund and $1.2 million from industry partners. The capital will support the development of mobile EV charging solutions that combine artificial intelligence, robotics, and electrification to address gaps in charging infrastructure.
Tackling Urban Infrastructure Challenges
In urban centers, roughly 30% of EV owners live in multi-tenant buildings where installing fixed chargers is often prohibitively expensive. These older condominiums and rental properties typically require costly electrical upgrades and hardwired infrastructure to offer EV charging capabilities.
Kiwi Charge’s approach combines robotic mobility, AI-based fleet intelligence, and on-demand charging in a compact autonomous unit. The mobile chargers operate without rewiring parking garages and can dynamically serve multiple EVs, which helps maximize utilization and reduce grid strain. The company says its solution costs about 40% of existing charging infrastructure.
“This project is about more than just EV charging; it’s about reshaping urban infrastructure by leveraging our strength and expertise in robotics and artificial intelligence,” said Abdel Ali, CEO of Kiwi Charge. “The support we have from OVIN and our industry partners gives us the credibility and platform we need to accelerate the development of our high-impact technology that will enable buildings to leapfrog outdated models and adopt clean, flexible EV charging at scale. It’s an Ontario-made solution for a global problem.”
How the Funding Will Be Used
Kiwi Charge will use the investment to rapidly prototype and test its flagship autonomous charging units—technology that would otherwise take significantly longer and more capital to bring to market. The funding enables the startup to run pilots with real estate and automotive dealership partners, expanding its reach into commercial applications.
The company also plans to hire additional talent and leverage Ontario’s growing AI ecosystem to iterate quickly on its technology. For automotive dealerships, Kiwi Charge is developing a manual mobile unit designed to keep EVs charged on busy lots without disrupting operations, aiming to increase turnover efficiency and allow for smoother fleet management.
Built to Scale in Ontario’s Innovation Hub
Kiwi Charge Inc. is a Canadian robotics and AI company reimagining EV charging for buildings. Its autonomous charging robots deliver flexible, on-demand service without costly infrastructure upgrades, enabling fast and affordable electrification in dense urban environments.
The startup will unveil the latest version of its autonomous charging robot at the Canadian International AutoShow from February 13 to 22. The robot will be showcased alongside Project Arrow, Canada’s first zero-emissions concept vehicle developed by the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA). The exhibition provides a platform to demonstrate the technology to industry stakeholders and potential partners.
Strategic Industry Backing and Government Support
The project has attracted support from major players in the automotive and innovation sectors. General Motors Canada views the partnership as part of its commitment to sustainable mobility solutions, while OVIN continues to position Ontario as a leader in advanced automotive technology.
The Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network is an initiative of the Government of Ontario, led by the Ontario Centre of Innovation. It was designed to reinforce Ontario’s position as a North American leader in advanced automotive technology and smart mobility solutions, including connected vehicles, autonomous vehicles, and electric and low-carbon vehicle technologies. Through research and development support, talent development, and demonstration grounds, OVIN provides resources to Ontario-based automotive and mobility technology companies.
