TORONTO — A Mississauga company that makes electric car batteries will get nearly $17 million from the Ontario government.

Premier Dalton McGuinty is promising $16.7 million to help Electrovaya create about 240 new jobs in addition to the 50 workers it currently has.

The company will invest nearly $95 million in its expansion.

Electrovaya’s patented battery technology lets cars drive further on a single charge than electric vehicles with other batteries.

The Liberal government wants one out of every 20 cars driven in Ontario to be electric by 2020.

Last month, McGuinty announced rebates of up to $10,000 for people who buy electric cars, a move that critics warned could actually hamper the development of next-generation technology.

The plan will give buyers of plug-in hybrids and battery electric cars rebates between $4,000 and $10,000 for vehicles purchased after July 1, 2010.

One auto industry analyst said by “bribing consumers” to buy electric the government was indirectly diverting resources from other more promising technologies.

The Canadian Press