Natal Antonini discusses the origins of Upcycle Green Technology and its focus on converting cars into electric trucks. The concept aligns with the circular economy by repurposing materials from end-of-life vehicles. The process involves taking 2009 to 2013 Corollas and converting them into EV trucks. The choice of Corolla was based on its popularity and resistance to rust. Upcycle aims to produce 100 cars per year and offers provincial rebates for their vehicles.
Upcycle and the Circular Economy
At the core of Upcycle’s operations lies the concept of the circular economy, where waste is non-existent and every end product is a potential raw material. Antonini unveils the philosophy behind Upcycle, firmly stating their disbelief in the term ‘waste’. They see waste as merely misplaced raw material. This has fueled their innovative approach of converting cars into electric pickup trucks, utilizing scrapyard-bound cars, and repurposing them. Thus, they prevent wasting valuable materials like plastic, rubber, glass, metals, and fluids.
Why 2009-2013 Corollas?
Upcycle handpicked the 2009-2013 Corolla model after extensive research. Aiming for cost-effective serial production, Antonini and his team decided on the Corolla because of its resistance to rust. Today, they source Corolas primarily from P.E.I, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. The abundance of these cars in the market, with over 2 million units in North America, makes the sourcing process much easier.
Upcycle converts a Corolla into an electric pickup truck in approximately 8 hours. The company’s goal is to produce 100 cars each year. Customers can also bring in their own Corollas for conversion. Still, Antonini clarifies that bringing in different car models would result in high costs and lengthy testing periods, making the procedure less feasible.
Battery Utilization and Charging
Upcycle’s EV trucks use lithium NMC batteries, similar to those in the Nissan Leaf. Depending on the charger level, they can be charged within 4 to 8 hours. Even though their range is limited (150km-250km), they perfectly suit urban driving needs, such as last-mile delivery services.
Upcycle’s EV truck is recognized for its CO2 reduction, and therefore, it qualifies for the PEI provincial rebate. Antonini further emphasizes how their product reduces CO2 emissions not only when it’s in use but also during its production phase. Thus, the vehicle effectively reduces emissions twice.
The Future of Upcycle
With numerous projects in the pipeline, Upcycle’s main focus now is to start production and set up its assembly line. Funding is essential for these next steps, propelling Upcycle towards an expansion phase where their unique and sustainable vehicles can make a broader impact on the green technology landscape.
Find the latest episodes of the Reimagined Energy podcast every week by visiting the episodes page of our website, on our YouTube channel, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Subscribe 📩
Receive a weekly email when a new episode is launched.Â
