Charging stations for electric vehicles at Place des Arts, the newest member of The Electric Circuit

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 signing of a partnership agreement with Place des Arts for the installation of four public charging stations in its underground parking lot. A first in the Quartier des spectacles.

“Place des Arts plays a major role in Québec’s cultural development and intends to play an important role in sustainable development. Its commitment translates into actions such as the installation of charging stations to improve the quality of life of Québec citizens and show consideration for present and future generations,” said Marc Blondeau, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Société de la Place des Arts de Montréal.

“We are delighted to welcome a new member to The Electric Circuit,” added Pierre-Luc Desgagné, Senior Director – Strategic Planning at Hydro-Québec, on behalf of The Electric Circuit’s founding partners. “This partnership will allow users of plug-in electric vehicles to have access to additional charging stations in downtown Montréal, in a neighborhood known for its vitality and festivities that attract people from everywhere.”

Starting next September, showgoers and other visitors to this major cultural complex will have access to Electric Circuit charging stations in the underground parking area of Place des Arts.

The Electric Circuit

The Electric Circuit is a major milestone in the rollout of the charging infrastructure needed to support the arrival of plug-in electric vehicles in Québec and is in line with the Québec government’s 2011-2020 Action Plan for Electric Vehicles.

Nearly 50 240-volt Electric Circuit stations are already available in parking lots of many RONA hardware stores, Metro grocery stores and Rôtisseries St-Hubert locations in the greater Montréal and Québec areas. There will be more than 120 charging stations in Québec by fall 2012. After that, the roll-out of 240-V and even faster (400 V) charging stations will expand as more electric vehicles hit Québec roads.

Electric vehicle owners do most of their charging at home and at work, but the Electric Circuit allows drivers to travel worry free, knowing they can top up their batteries on the road. Users of the public charging network also have access to a 24/7 telephone help line run by CAA-Québec as well as a charging station locator service. Of course, The Electric Circuit Web site, www.theelectriccircuit.com, is updated as new stations are deployed.

About Place des Arts

As a public organization serving all Quebecers, the Société de la Place des Arts de Montréal is dedicated to presenting the performing arts. It programs and manages five performance halls and the Espace culturel Georges-Émile-Lapalme in Montréal, as well as the Amphithéâtre Fernand-Lindsay in Joliette. It also establishes the artistic program for the Maison symphonique de Montréal for organizations other than the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal. Home to major arts organizations, Place des Arts encourages increased accessibility to various forms of performing arts, and promotes Québec’s artistic and cultural life.

Through this partnership with The Electric Circuit and by offering a charging service for electric vehicles, Place des Arts wishes to help its staff and visitors understand sustainable development and adopt sustainable practices.