Transport Electrification - The city of Montréal joins the Electric Circuit and will install 80 electric vehicle charging stations

MONTREAL, Sept. 12, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - The Mayor of Montréal, Laurent Blanchard, the Executive Committee member in charge of transportation, Réal Ménard, and, on behalf of the Electric Circuit's founding partners, Pierre-Luc Desgagné, Vice President - Public and Government Affairs at Hydro-Québec, as well as the Minister of Natural Resources, Martine Ouellet, accompanied by Daniel Breton, Member of the National Assembly for Sainte-Marie-Saint-Jacques and Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier for Transportation Electrification announced that the city of Montréal has joined the Electric Circuit. Most of the 80 public charging stations in Montréal will be installed on municipal lots.

"Québec has embraced transportation electrification and I would like to congratulate the city of Montréal and the Electric Circuit for the tangible efforts they have made in this regard," stated Québec Premier Pauline Marois. "We are fortunate to be able to rely on a clean, renewable source of energy as well as superior expertise when it comes to implementing the public charging infrastructure required to support the arrival of electric vehicles on our roads. This forward-looking project will benefit the entire population."

"With the electrification of transportation, we are pairing economic development and a cleaner environment," said Martine Ouellet. "In addition to supporting the growth of emerging companies specializing in electric vehicles and components, we are working to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The electrification of transportation will produce the jobs of tomorrow in Québec."

"This initiative by the city of Montréal fits in perfectly with our government's plan to electrify transportation in Québec and to significantly speed up its development in the coming years," said Daniel Breton.

"Under its Transportation Plan, the city of Montréal has committed to transforming and improving the transportation system, in particular by integrating innovative solutions. Montréal has already expressed its support for the use of electric vehicles to help reduce air pollution," noted Mayor Blanchard. Through its association with Hydro-Québec's Electric Circuit and by purchasing 80 charging stations, to be installed throughout the city by the end of the year, Montréal has confirmed its leadership role in transportation electrification."

"The 80 charging stations deployed by the city of Montréal are entirely designed and manufactured in Québec, and will bring the number of charging stations to 250," said Pierre-Luc Desgagné, Hydro-Québec's Vice President - Public and Government Affairs, on behalf of the Electric Circuit partners. "This is great news for electric vehicle drivers and those who are thinking of making the switch. This concrete and significant involvement makes Montréal the Electric Circuit partner with the most charging stations."

"The city of Montréal is proud to join this initiative, which will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions—one of the Montréal community's main sustainable development objectives—and promote the use of renewable energy," said Réal Ménard. "I encourage Montrealers to seriously consider electric vehicles when buying their next car."

The 240-V charging stations will be installed in parking lots belonging to the city of Montréal and selected based on criteria designed to ensure visibility and security. The city's 80 charging stations will be manufactured by the Electric Circuit's official supplier, AddÉnergie Technologies. All income derived from the use of the charging stations purchased by the city of Montréal will belong exclusively to the city.

Curbside charging stations pilot project
A pilot project for the installation of curbside charging stations will be implemented in downtown Montréal in the spring of 2014. This project will help determine the nature and scope of curbside public charging needs, while taking into account Québec's climate and the urban fabric. On-street charging is a challenge for all large North American cities. This pilot project will position Montréal and The Electric Circuit as leaders.

The Electric Circuit
The Electric Circuit is a major initiative in the rollout of charging infrastructure needed to support the arrival of plug-in vehicles in Québec.

The Electric Circuit is the largest public charging network in Québec, with 200 charging stations (240 V) in service in parking lots of the AMT, as well as RONA stores, Metro grocery stores and St-Hubert restaurants throughout Québec. Since its launch in March 2012, 46 private and institutional partners have joined the Electric Circuit. It will continue to expand in order to offer greater geographical coverage and serve more EV drivers in many regions of Québec.

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, is updated as new stations are installed or commissioned.

The map indicating the location of the city of Montréal's Electric Circuit charging stations can be viewed by the media at www.montreal2.qc.ca/photosdepresse.

 

SOURCE: Electric Circuit

Nathalie Vachon
Hydro-Québec, for the Electric Circuit
514 289-2441
[email protected]

Valérie De Gagné
Division des affaires publiques
City of Montreal
514 872-6013