Canadian electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure manufacturer Flo will cut 80 jobs across North America and shut down one of its three assembly plants, citing rising trade tensions and fluctuating policy support as key challenges to its long-term strategy.
The company, which was founded in 2009 in Quebec City, expanded operations in 2021 with a facility in Shawinigan and began constructing a U.S. plant in 2022. The expansion was supported by government subsidies in both Canada and the United States. However, shifting political dynamics and the reduction of such incentives have led the company to adopt a more cautious approach.
Flo said the restructuring reflects broader headwinds in the EV industry, including inconsistent policy signals and weakening consumer demand. While the company raised $136 million in funding last year, the evolving economic and political environment has led to revised expectations.
“This decision reflects several challenging realities. Trade tensions, shifting political dynamics — particularly in the U.S. — and inconsistent policy signals around electric vehicles have made long-term planning extremely complex,” said CEO Louis Tremblay in a statement.
The layoffs will impact employees in both Canada and the United States, and the Shawinigan assembly plant is scheduled to close by the end of August. Production will continue at the company’s facilities in Quebec City and Auburn Hills, Michigan.
Tremblay emphasized that the decision aims to support the company’s long-term sustainability. “We deeply believe in the future of electric mobility, and we are taking these challenging steps today to ensure FLO can continue to lead in this critical space for years to come,” he said.
Source: electricautonomy.ca