Montréal, March 30, 2012

Official launching of The Electric Circuit: First public charging stations now in service!

The Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife and Minister responsible for the Plan Nord, Clément Gignac, and the founding partners of The Electric Circuit—Les Rôtisseries St Hubert, RONA, Metro, the Agence métropolitaine de transport (AMT) and Hydro-Québec—are pleased to announce the official launching of Canada’s first public charging network for plug-in electric vehicles (EVs). More than thirty 240-V Electric Circuit plug-in stations supplied with clean, renewable energy are now installed and available to charge EVs in parking lots of RONA and Metro stores and Rôtisseries St-Hubert restaurants in the greater Montréal and Québec areas.

“When the government launched its Action Plan for Electric Vehicles last April, we asked Hydro-Québec to develop a strategy for the deployment of the public charging infrastructure in Québec. Less than a year later, the major elements of the Action Plan are in place so that Quebecers can make the shift to sustainable mobility. Once again, Québec is leading the way in the promising industry of electric vehicles," said Minister Gignac.

“This is a major milestone in the rollout of the charging infrastructure needed to support the arrival of plug-in electric vehicles in Québec,” said Pierre-Luc Desgagné, Hydro-Québec’s Senior Director – Strategic Planning, on behalf of The Electric Circuit’s founding partners. “Drivers of electric vehicles will have access to a network of public charging stations that will be rolled out over the coming months.”

As planned, at least 120 stations will be open by the founding partners in the Montréal and Québec regions by summer 2012. After that, the network will expand as more EVs hit the road.

To take advantage of Electric Circuit services, users just have to order a prepaid card at www.theelectriccircuit.com. A flat fee of $2.50 will be billed per charge, no matter how long charging takes. For example, a prepaid amount of $25 covers 10 charges.

Users will also have access to a 24/7 telephone help line run by CAA-Québec and a charging station locator service provided by Hydro-Québec. Of course, The Electric Circuit Web site will be updated regularly so that car owners can keep track of the network’s expansion.

The public charging network will be used mainly to meet backup or emergency needs on the road. EV owners will do most of their charging at home and at work.

Locations of the first public charging stations in Canada

RONA (RONA l’Entrepôt and Réno-Dépôt)

Les Rôtisseries St-Hubert

Metro

St-Hubert's charging stations on Wilfrid-Hamel

RONA's charging stations in Brossard

METRO's charging stations in Kirkland