The Electric Circuit welcomes several new partners - Société immobilière GP, the city of Montmagny and Municipality of Laurier-Station join the vast public charging network

MONTRÉAL, March 4, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - As part of the Québec International Auto Show, the Electric Circuit is pleased to announce the signing of a partnership agreement with Société immobilière GP, the city of Montmagny as well as the Municipality of Laurier-Station, for the commissioning of three public charging stations for electric vehicles. Société immobilière GP's charging station is already in service in the external parking lot of Tours A and B of the Centre d'affaires Henri-IV on avenue Wilfrid Pelletier in the city of Québec. Charging stations will soon be operational in both Montmagny and Laurier-Station, respectively.

"Société immobilière GP is proud to partner with Hydro-Québec in the Electric Circuit by presenting the Centre d'affaires Henri IV as an innovative project. The building, which has distinctive architectural features, has been LEED-certified to maximize its efficiency. In fact, being aware of the impacts of the ecological footprint of these buildings, these choices are perfectly suited to our company's sustainable development objectives. We believe that providing our customers and the public with electric charging stations is a unique element that sets us apart from our competitors," said Guy Pelletier, President and Chief Executive Officer of Groupe GP.

"With gas prices fluctuating constantly, it comes as no surprise that electric cars are gaining in popularity and that the number of charging stations is increasing. It is with the aim of providing better service to car drivers who are passing through our region while doing our bit to preserve our planet that we have decided to join the Electric Circuit being promoted by Hydro-Québec. And since the Electric Circuit is a reference for owners of electric vehicles, the charging station that will soon be in service in our region will be one more reason for them to stop by Montmagny", said Jean-Guy Desrosiers, Mayor of Montmagny.

"Laurier-Station is proud to be the first municipality in the Lotbinière RCM to provide a charging station for electric vehicles. We're giving our citizens the chance to make an eco-friendly choice while at the same time promoting the culture of sustainable development. Considering that exit 278 is already a strategic stopping point along autoroute Jean Lesage, the new service will now give electric vehicle drivers access to a charging station", stated Pierrette Trépanier, Mayor of Laurier-Station.

On behalf of the founding partners of the Electric Circuit, France Lampron, Director ­­– Transportation Electrification at Hydro Québec, added "We are very pleased to count Société immobilière GP, the city of Montmagny as well as the Municipality of Laurier-Station among our partners. The addition of these new partners in the greater Québec region is excellent news and demonstrates the Electric Circuit's willingness to continue its expansion and meet the needs of all electric vehicle drivers."

The Electric Circuit now has 52 charging stations in service in the Capitale-Nationale region: Deschambault-Grondines, La Malbaie, Québec, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures and Stoneham-Tewkesbury. Moreover, 3 charging stations are also in service in the Chaudière-Appalaches region; in Disraeli, Saint-Nicolas and in Saint-Georges, respectively.

About the Electric Circuit

The Electric Circuit is the largest public charging network in Québec. It is a major initiative providing the charging infrastructure required to support the adoption of plug-in electric vehicles in Québec, with more than 375 public charging stations, including 8 fast-charge stations, in parking lots of the AMT, several RONA stores, Metro grocery stores and St-Hubert restaurants across Québec. Since its launch in March 2012, 104 private and institutional partners have joined the Electric Circuit.

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 app for iOS and Android are updated as new stations are commissioned.

SOURCE Electric Circuit

Louis-Olivier Batty, Hydro-Québec, for the Electric Circuit, 514 289-4214, [email protected]; Jean-Michel Simard, Director of Operations and Leasing, Société immobilière GP, 418 651-6727 ext. 206, [email protected]; Émilie Laurendeau, Communications, City of Montmagny, 418 248-3362 ext. 2063, [email protected]; Catherine Fiset, Direction générale, Municipality of Laurier-Station, 418 728-3852 ext. 202, [email protected]