The City of Montréal announces its intention to join 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 that the City of Montréal is announcing its intention to join The Electric Circuit and roll-out public charging stations for electric vehicles on its territory in 2013.

"This project is another step in reaching our target to reduce Montrealers' greenhouse gas emissions by 30 % by 2020, based on 1990 levels. The network of charging stations will be rolled-out gradually, in close collaboration with interested boroughs, and will encourage Montrealers to seriously consider electric vehicles," said Alan De Sousa, Vice-President of the City of Montréal’s Executive Committee and responsible for sustainable development, the environment and parks.

"We are very pleased to welcome a prestigious and important partner like the City of Montréal to The Electric Circuit," said Pierre-Luc Desgagné, Hydro-Québec's Senior Director – Strategic Planning, speaking on behalf of The Electric Circuit’s founding partners. "The city’s involvement is an essential step in completing The Electric Circuit's service offering on the Island of Montréal."

Thanks to The Electric Circuit, the City of Montréal will offer its boroughs the possibility of purchasing and installing charging stations. The City and interested boroughs will choose the locations with the greatest potential to ensure the best possible geographical distribution. More than ten boroughs have already expressed their interest.

In addition to these charging stations, a pilot project for the installation of curbside charging stations will be implemented in downtown Montréal. This project will help determine the nature and scope curbside public charging needs. It will be a first in Québec and Canada.

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 (EVs) in Québec. It is pursuing its expansion throughout several Québec regions.

Close to one hundred 240-volt Electric Circuit stations are already available in parking lots of the AMT, as well as those of many RONA hardware stores, Metro grocery stores and St-Hubert Restaurants. Since its launch on March 30, 2012, 16 private and institutional partners have joined The Electric Circuit. More than 150 charging stations will be available in Québec by the end of 2012. After that, the roll-out of 240-V and 400-V charging stations, which allow for quicker charging, will be deployed to meet charging needs as more electric vehicles hit Québec roads.

EV owners do most of their recharging at home and at work, but drivers can travel worry free, knowing they can top up their batteries on the road if they need to. Electric Circuit users also have access to a 24/7 telephone help line run by CAA-Québec, as well as a charging station locator service. The Electric Circuit Web site, www.theelectriccircuit.com, is updated as new stations are installed or commissioned.