January 25, 2012

Plans to build Canada’s first public electric charging network announced

MONTREAL

The locations for the first 90 240-V charging stations for plug-in electrical vehicles have been announced and will be available to the public this spring.

The founding partners of The Electric Circuit — St-Hubert Restaurants, RONA, METRO, the Agence métropolitaine de transport (AMT) and Hydro-Québec — recently made the announcement at the Montreal International Auto Show and said an additional 30 stations will be added by the summer.

There are two main objectives: to provide accessible recharging to the greatest number of drivers and to offer a simple method of payment. The charging service for the Electric Circuit will cost $2.50 per use, or $25 for 10 charges, regardless of the duration of the charge.

“The locations announced mark an important step in the development of this network and its roll-out in the greater Montréal and Québec areas,” said Pierre-Luc Desgagné, Senior Director, Strategic Planning at Hydro-Québec, on behalf of the founding partners. “The automotive industry is rapidly evolving and we want to be ready to meet our customers’ needs by providing easy access to practical services and clean fuel.”

Hydro-Québec will conduct tests this winter on the first certified quick-charge station at over 400-V. It will be installed in Boucherville this spring and tested on a daily basis in collaboration with the local St-Hubert restaurant. With Hydro-Québec’s oversight, The Electric Circuit will then deploy quick-charge stations along Québec’s major roads over the course of the next year.

Launched on June 16, 2011, The Electric Circuit is Québec and Canada’s first public charging network for plug-in electric vehicles.

Charging station users will also have access to a 24-hour telephone help line run by CAA Québec.

DCN News Services

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