3,000 members and new charging stations soon in service - The Electric Circuit continues its expansion

MONTRÉAL, Sept. 11, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - The Electric Circuit is proud to announce that it is about to reach the 3,000 member mark.

"New members join the Electric Circuit every day," noted Pierre-Luc Desgagné, Vice President – Public and Government Affairs, and responsible for transportation electrification at Hydro-Québec. "Since end of August alone, over 150 drivers signed up for a membership card. We intend to continue rolling out charging stations at the same pace in order to respond to our customers' needs," he added.

The business model implemented by Hydro-Québec is truly unique in that it is based on sharing costs with the private, public and institutional partners who decide to join the Electric Circuit. Currently, some 70 companies, institutions and municipalities with vision have joined the Electric Circuit model and invested in the network through the purchase and installation of charging stations. By purchasing the charging stations and assuming the installation costs, the Electric Circuit partners support transportation electrification in Québec.

"The success of the Electric Circuit is a remarkable joint effort between Hydro-Québec and private and institutional partners to benefit drivers of plug-in electric vehicles. They now have access to 300 charging points and we continue to lead the way in terms of access to public charging for electric vehicles," Mr. Desgagné concluded.

In fall 2014, the Electric Circuit service will be enhanced through the installation of 400-V quick-charge stations. These new charging stations will be a complementary service to the 240-V charging station network. Based on the experience acquired during the trial period in Boucherville and the tests conducted, the technology is ready and the market for this type of service is expanding.

Electric Circuit users have access to a 24/7 telephone help line run by CAA-Québec, as well as a charging-station locator service. The Electric Circuit Web site, theelectriccircuit.com, and the mobile application for iOS and Android are updated as new stations are installed or commissioned.

It is worth remembering that most charging is done at home, where the vehicle is parked most of the time. The Electric Circuit offers an excellent top-up charge for drivers who would like to extend the range of their vehicle.

The Electric Circuit
The Electric Circuit is the largest public charging network in Québec. It is a major initiative in providing the charging infrastructure required to support the adoption of plug-in electric vehicles in Québec.

The network comprises a 400-V fast-charge station and close to 300 Level 2 (240 V) charging stations in parking lots of the AMT, RONA stores, Metro grocery stores and St-Hubert restaurants throughout Québec. Since its launch in March 2012, 71 private and institutional partners have joined the Electric Circuit. It continues to expand in order to offer greater geographical coverage and serve more EV drivers in many regions of Québec.

SOURCE: Electric Circuit

Louis-Olivier Batty, Hydro-Québec, for the Electric Circuit, 514 289-4214, [email protected]