Quebec to see Canada's 1st EV charging network

Starting early next year, drivers of electric cars in Québec will be able to stay charged up through Canada’s first public charging network for plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs).

The first charging stations in “The Electric Circuit” are expected to be operational in early 2012. Stations will be located at the business sites of the circuit’s founding partners: Hydro-Québec, RONA, les Rôtisseries St-Hubert, METRO and the Agence métropolitaine de transport (AMT).

The network will initially include about 100 240‑volt charging stations. Quick-charge (400‑volt) stations will be rolled out in 2012, once they have obtained Canadian certification.

“While the vast majority of recharging will be done at home and at work, the availability of a public charging network is essential to meet customers’ backup or emergency needs,” said Thierry Vandal, CEO of Hydro-Québec.

“The AMT is partnering with Hydro-Québec to implement new technologies that will facilitate travel for thousands of electric car drivers,” added Joël Gauthier, president and CEO of AMT. “By installing electric charging stations at the AMT’s park-and-ride facilities, we are providing electric-car drivers with direct access to public transit. The charging stations are indicative of the AMT’s firm intention to increase the role of renewable energy in the operation of public transit systems.”

The network of charging stations will be rolled out gradually, as plug-in electric vehicles arrive on the Québec market. The metropolitan areas of Montréal and Québec will be the dual starting points of “The Electric Circuit”. The rollout will then be extended to other cities and sites in the province.

Charging will cost a flat fee of around $2, which will include the cost of the electricity and access to a prime parking spot. PEV drivers will also have access to a charging station locator service provided by Hydro-Québec and to a 24/7 telephone help line run by CAA Quebec.

To procure a first set of at least 100 charging stations for “The Electric Circuit,” Hydro-Québec plans to issue an initial call for tenders in the summer of 2011. All interested charging station suppliers will be eligible to take part. Before installation may proceed, however, the stations will have to be certified and be tested in a climate-control chamber at Hydro-Québec’s research institute to make sure they can withstand the rigors of Québec weather.