Electric driving in Québec: A driver’s perspective

Electric vehicles are progressively becoming more common on Québec roads. However, many people still have questions about the performance, driving range and public charging of these green cars.

In this video, three drivers share their experiences and passion for this environmentally friendly means of transportation.

Electric Vehicles and Public Charging

Testimonials from three electric vehicle users and a Hydro-Québec expert.

Electric Vehicles and Public Charging

Testimonials from three electric vehicle users and a Hydro-Québec expert.

Electric Circuit: Positive results
To support the arrival of electric vehicles (EVs) on Québec’s roads, five founding partners—Les Rôtisseries St-Hubert, RONA, METRO, the Agence métropolitaine de transport (AMT) and Hydro-Québec—created the first public charging station network for electric vehicles: The Electric Circuit.

Launched in March 2012, the Electric Circuit is already showing positive results: 19 private and institutional partners have joined the public charging network, which currently has 150 stations in operation.

The greater Montréal and Québec areas, Laval, Montérégie, Estrie, the Laurentides and Lanaudière are among the regions served.

The Outaouais, Bas-St-Laurent and Chaudière-Appalaches regions will be added to this list in 2013.

A uniform and competitive price
EV owners do most of their charging at home or at work.

The Electric Circuit public charging infrastructure means these drivers can top up their batteries on the road if they need to, so they can travel worry free. Close to half of Québec EV drivers have Electric Circuit cards.

As for the cost to charge a vehicle using the Electric Circuit, the price is uniform and far more competitive than gas: for $2.50, you can charge your vehicle, no matter how long it takes. In addition to the charge, you also get a parking space, a 24/7 telephone help line run by CAA-Québec, and a charging station geo-positioning service.

Sparking interest from our neighbors
According to Pierre-Luc Desgagné, Senior Director – Strategic Planning at Hydro-Québec, the Electric Circuit’s business model is attracting a great deal of interest from neighboring jurisdictions.

“The Electric Circuit would like to roll-out in the Ottawa-Gatineau region in 2013 if partners get on board, and discussions are in progress with Vermont to develop a “green corridor” between the two jurisdictions. In the meantime, the network will continue to expand in Québec to offer a broader geographic coverage and serve more EV drivers,” specified Mr. Desgagné.

In 2013, the Electric Circuit will also look into the installation of curbside charging stations in conjunction with the city of Montréal.

More information is available on the Web site www.theelectriccircuit.com, which is updated as new stations are deployed.