Exro Technologies Inc.

Exro says its smart coil driver replaces the standard controller of an electric motor.

A Canadian-based company will locate its U.S. headquarters in Mesa. The move adds to the region’s growing reputation as an electric vehicle hub.

Exro Technologies Inc. develops technology that expands the capabilities of electric motors, generators and batteries. The company plans to hire about 50 people over the next 18 months.

“Tech companies like this grow and scale very rapidly and so we want to capture more of these kind of companies here in greater Phoenix and build one of the best eco systems for the future of electric vehicles,” said Chris Camacho, president and CEO of Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC).

In a statement, Sue Ozdemir, CEO of Exro Technologies said, “The region is ripe with potential manufacturing partners and suppliers, and its competitive talent pipeline will support our continued growth.”

Camacho said attracting startups like Extro keeps paying off, “You know, when you get to build a relationship with companies like this, they open doors with other companies in their supply base and in their partner base. There are many other firms now we’ve been able to open the door of ... success begets success.”

Exro’s facility is expected to open this fall near another Canadian startup called ElectraMeccanica, which will engineer and assemble a single seat electric vehicle expected to hit the market next year. Two other electric vehicle manufacturers — Lucid Motors and Nikola Corp. —  have operations in Pinal County.