TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb 9, 2026--
Robotics and AI startup Kiwi Charge today announced the launch of its autonomous electric vehicle (EV) charging project with the backing of the Government of Ontario through the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), and support from General Motors Canada and Pfaff Automotive. The project represents a total investment of $1.7 million to fund the development of mobile EV charging solutions that combine artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and electrification to close a critical gap in EV charging infrastructure. The investment includes a $500,000 grant through the OVIN R&D Partnership Fund and $1.2 million in funding from industry partners. As part of this milestone, Kiwi Charge will unveil the latest version of its autonomous charging robot at the Canadian International AutoShow from February 13 to 22, where it will be showcased alongside Project Arrow, Canada’s first zero-emissions concept vehicle developed by the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA).
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260209099134/en/
The goal of the Kiwi Charge project is to develop scalable solutions that solve real-world EV charging challenges in public and private spaces such as older condominiums and rental buildings that often require costly electric upgrades and hardwired infrastructure to offer EV charging capabilities. Kiwi Charge will use the funding to rapidly prototype and test its flagship autonomous charging units, technology that would otherwise take significantly longer and more capital to bring to market. It will also enable the startup to run pilots with real estate and automotive dealership partners, hire talent, and leverage Ontario’s rapidly growing AI ecosystem to iterate quickly.
Kiwi Charge reimagining EV charging for buildings
In urban centers, 30% of EV owners live in multi-tenant buildings where installing fixed chargers is often cost-prohibitive. Kiwi Charge addresses this by combining robotic mobility, AI-based fleet intelligence, and on-demand EV charging in a compact autonomous unit. These mobile chargers operate without rewiring parking garages and can dynamically serve multiple EVs to maximize utilization and reduce grid strain. Kiwi Charge aims to make it possible to electrify older buildings faster, cheaper, and smarter in alignment with the Province of Ontario’s climate, housing, and innovation priorities.
For automotive dealerships, Kiwi Charge is developing a manual mobile unit to keep EVs charged on busy lots without disrupting operations, with the goal of increasing turnover efficiency and allowing for seamless fleet management.
Quotes
“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. 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.”
- Abdel Ali, CEO, Kiwi Charge
“GM Canada’s support of Kiwi Charge reflects our commitment to innovative thinking in sustainable mobility. We strive to leverage our expertise as active participants in the automotive startup ecosystem to help encourage EV adoption and improve the ownership experience.”
- Regan Dixon, Senior Manager, General Motors Canadian Technical Centres
“As the shift towards electric vehicles gains momentum around the world, Ontario continues to pioneer EV adoption and an all-electric future. By empowering homegrown companies to accelerate the journey of next-generation EV charging solutions from concept to market, our province is not only leading the EV revolution, but also bringing made-in-Ontario innovations to global value chains and unleashing their boundless economic potential.”
- Raed Kadri, Head of OVIN
“Ontario is home to some of the most exciting advancements in electric and autonomous technologies, and Kiwi Charge is a standout example of that momentum. By applying robotics, AI, and smart design to one of the biggest barriers in EV adoption, they are building a made-in-Ontario solution with global potential. OVIN is proud to support innovators who are accelerating our transition to cleaner, smarter mobility while strengthening Ontario’s leadership in EV and battery innovation."
- Claudia Krywiak, President & CEO, Ontario Centre of Innovation
About Kiwi Charge
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 to enable fast, affordable electrification in dense urban environments at 40% of the cost of current solutions. For additional information, visit kiwicharge.ca.
About General Motors Canada
General Motors of Canada is headquartered in Oshawa, Ontario and is part of a global company that is committed to delivering safer, better, and more sustainable ways for people to get around. In Canada, General Motors markets Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles through our strong Canadian network of dealers, as well as OnStar services. More information can be found at www.gm.ca or by following @GMCanada on Instagram.
About OVIN
The Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) is an initiative of the Government of Ontario, led by the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), designed to reinforce Ontario’s position as a North American leader in advanced automotive technology and smart mobility solutions such as connected vehicles, autonomous vehicles and electric and low-carbon vehicle technologies.
Though resources such as research and development (R&D) support, talent and skills development, technology acceleration, business and technical supports, and demonstration grounds, OVIN provides a competitive advantage to Ontario-made automotive and mobility technology companies.
For additional information, please visit: https://www.ovinhub.ca/
Charging the Chevrolet Blazer EV with Kiwi Charge’s innovative pop-up charging trailer
Version 2 of the Kiwi Charge Robot, pictured with the team
CAIRO (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump's appeal to China, France, Japan, South Korea, Britain and others to send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz “open and safe” brought no commitments on Sunday as oil prices soar during the Iran war.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told CBS that Tehran has been “approached by a number of countries” seeking safe passage for their vessels, “and this is up to our military to decide.” He said a group of vessels from “different countries” had been allowed to pass, without providing details.
Iran has said the strait, through which one-fifth of global oil exports normally pass, is open to all except the United States and its allies.
“We don’t see any reason why we should talk with Americans” about finding a way to end the war, Araghchi added, noting that Israel and the U.S. started the fighting with coordinated attacks on Feb. 28 during indirect U.S.-Iran talks on Iran's nuclear program. Araghchi also said Tehran had “no plan to recover” enriched uranium that is under rubble following U.S. and Israeli attacks last year.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright told NBC he has been “in dialogue” with some of the countries Trump mentioned, and said he expected China “will be a constructive partner” in reopening the strait.
But countries made no promises.
A spokesperson for China’s embassy to the U.S., Liu Pengyu, said “all parties have the responsibility to ensure stable and unimpeded energy supply” and that China would “strengthen communication with relevant parties” for de-escalation.
“We are intensively looking with our allies at what can be done, because it’s so important that we get the strait reopened,” U.K. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband told Sky News, adding that ending the war is the “best and surest” way to do it.
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said it “takes note” of Trump’s call and that it “will closely coordinate and carefully review” the situation with the U.S.
Expectations are high that Trump will ask Japan directly when Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets him on Thursday at the White House.
France previously said it is working with countries — President Emmanuel Macron mentioned partners in Europe, India and Asia — on a possible international mission to escort ships through the strait but has stressed it must be when “the circumstances permit,” when fighting has subsided.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul of Germany, which was not mentioned in Trump's call, told ARD television: “Will we soon be an active part of this conflict? No.”
Meanwhile, emergency oil stocks “will soon start flowing to global markets,” the International Energy Agency said Sunday, describing the collective action to lower prices “by far the largest ever.”
It updated last week’s announcement of 400 million barrels to nearly 412 million. Asian member countries plan to release stocks “immediately,” and reserves from Europe and the Americas will be released “from the end of March.”
Gulf Arab states including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain reported new missile or drone attacks a day after Iran called for the evacuation of three major ports in the United Arab Emirates — the first time it has threatened a neighboring country’s non-U.S. assets.
Tehran has accused the U.S. of launching Friday's strikes on Kharg Island, home to Iran’s primary oil terminal, from the UAE, without providing evidence. It has threatened to attack U.S.-linked “oil, economic and energy infrastructures” if its oil infrastructure is hit.
U.S. Central Command said it had no response to Iran’s claim, and Anwar Gargash, a diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, rejected it. Gulf countries that host U.S. bases have denied allowing their land or airspace to be used for military operations against Iran.
Iran has fired hundreds of missiles and drones at Arab Gulf neighbors during the war, causing significant damage and rattling economies even as most are intercepted. Tehran says it targets U.S. assets, even as Iranian strikes are reported at civilian sites such as airports and oil fields.
Iranian strikes have killed at least a dozen civilians in Gulf countries, most of them migrant workers.
In Iran, the International Committee for the Red Cross said more than 1,300 people have been killed. Iran’s Health Ministry said 223 women and 202 children are among the dead, according to Mizan, the judiciary’s official news agency.
Iran’s government on Sunday showed journalists buildings damaged by strikes in Tehran on Friday. A police station was hit and surrounding buildings were damaged. Some apartments’ outer walls had been stripped away.
“God had mercy on all of us,” said Elham Movagghari, a resident. Other Iranians are leaving the country.
In Israel, 12 people have been killed by Iranian missile fire and more have been injured, including three on Sunday. At least 13 U.S. military members have been killed, six in a plane crash in Iraq last week.
At least 820 people have been killed in Lebanon, according to its Health Ministry, since Iran-backed Hezbollah hit Israel and Israel responded with strikes and sent additional troops into southern Lebanon. In just 10 days, more than 800,000 people — nearly one out of every seven residents of Lebanon — have been displaced.
Israel said it continued to strike Iran. Iran fired missiles toward Israel.
Several strikes hit central Israel and the Tel Aviv area, where they caused damage at 23 sites and sparked a small fire. Magen David Adom, Israel’s rescue service, released video showing a large crater in a street and shrapnel damage to an apartment building.
Israel’s military says Iran is firing cluster bombs that can evade some air defenses and scatter submunitions across multiple locations.
Metz reported from Ramallah, West Bank, Frankel from Jerusalem and Anna from Lowville, New York. Associated Press journalists Sally Abou AlJoud and Fadi Tawil in Beirut, John Leicester in Paris and Fatima Hussein and Tia Goldenberg in Washington contributed to this report.
This version corrects to say Araghchi was speaking to CBS, not NBC as previously reported.
People walk past tents sheltering people displaced by Israeli airstrikes at a public space along the Beirut waterfront at sunset in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, March 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
People gather outside an apartment building damaged by an Iranian missile strike in Bnei Brak, Israel, Sunday, March 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
People shout slogans during an anti U.S. and Israeli rally outside the U.S. consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 15, 2026. The sign reads in Turkish: "Leave NATO, close the bases." (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)
Heavy rain falls over tents sheltering people displaced by Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon and Dahiyeh, Beirut's southern suburbs, along the Beirut waterfront in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, March 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Israeli air defense system fires to intercept missiles during an Iranian attack over Tel Aviv, Israel, early Sunday, March 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Volunteers clean debris from a residential building damaged when a nearby police station was hit Friday in a U.S.-Israeli strike in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, March 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
A cargo ship sails in the Arabian Gulf towards Strait of Hormuz in United Arab Emirates, Sunday, March 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Firefighters extinguish fire at a site damaged during an Iranian missile strike in Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, March 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Volunteers clean debris from a residential building damaged when a nearby police station was hit Friday in a U.S.-Israeli strike in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, March 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Home Front Command officer works at an apartment damaged after an Iranian strike in Bnei Brak, Israel, Sunday, March 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Smoke rises from the rubble of buildings destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, Sunday, March 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
A man photographs the rubble of buildings destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, Sunday, March 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Israeli air defense system fires to intercept missiles during an Iranian attack over Tel Aviv, Israel, early Sunday, March 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Smoke rises from the U.S. embassy building in Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Ali Jabar)
Mourners react during the funeral ceremony for Gen. Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran's Defense Council and a senior adviser to the Supreme Leader who was killed in a strike, at the courtyard of the Imamzadeh Saleh shrine in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Two men ride their motorbike past a billboard of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei in downtown Tehran, Iran, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Fire and plumes of smoke rise from an oil facility in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
A man chants slogan while the body of Gen. Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran's Defense Council and a senior adviser to the Supreme Leader who was killed in a strike, is being buried at the courtyard of the Imamzadeh Saleh shrine in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
