2011/08/17

Quebec Enters Era of Widely Accessible Electric Car

NISSAN CANADA - Communauto, Hydro-Québec and Nissan Canada proudly announced the introduction of North America's largest fully electric self-service vehicle fleet – the first initiative of this type in Quebec. The full complement of 50 Nissan LEAFs – 15 of them are already available – will be rolled out by early 2012.

"This project is Communauto's way of reaffirming the innovative nature of carsharing, as well as our ability to offer Quebecers a new way of achieving auto self-sufficiency while benefiting from the most advanced environmental technologies," asserted Benoît Robert, President and CEO of Communauto. "Starting with our almost 25,000 members, everyone living in or near Quebec City and Montreal will enjoy access to a personal electric conveyance for only $37 yearly, even if they don't have a space in which to park and charge the vehicle. Another benefit of the self-service automobile!"

The support of a number of partners made this achievement possible. By expressing their commitment to electric mobility and signing a memorandum of understanding with Nissan, the Quebec government and Hydro-Québec paved the way for priority delivery of LEAF cars in Quebec. The Quebec government also allocated credits and grants for vehicle purchases to this project. Hydro-Québec provides economic and technical support for setting up the network of charging docks.

"We are taking a major step forward today in transport electrification and in making our Electric Vehicles 2011-2020 Action Plan, launched last April, a reality. I am proud of the leadership we have shown in creating conditions propitious to the roll-out of electric vehicles here in Quebec. Since 98% of our electricity comes from a clean, renewable source, setting up a fleet of these vehicles translates to a number of benefits for Quebec. The appearance of these vehicles at Communauto is an additional step that confirms Quebec's leadership from an energy and environmental standpoint," stressed MNA Raymond Bernier, speaking on behalf of Nathalie Normandeau, Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife.

"Hydro-Québec has been working with Communauto and Nissan for more than a year to make this ecologically responsible initiative possible. We are very pleased to be associated with this undertaking, which will contribute significantly to the wider acceptance of electric vehicles in Quebec while offering users our clean, renewable fuel. Through carsharing, a large number of drivers will appreciate vehicles that run on electricity," pointed out Pierre-Luc Desgagné, Senior Director – Strategic Planning and Government Affairs, Hydro-Québec.

A number of organizations have worked jointly on this initiative, taking part in implementation of the service points needed to make these vehicles accessible to the public: the municipalities of Quebec City and Montreal, the Société Parc-Auto du Québec (SPAQ), Desjardins Group, Ivanhoe Cambridge, Stationnement de Montréal, the Monastère du Saint-Sacrement in Montreal, the Société Immobilière du Québec, INRS University, Université de Montréal and the Productive House project.
Raymond Dion, president of the Réseau de transport de la Capitale, recalled that "carsharing is one solution, for Quebec City, that promotes mobility for people who only need a vehicle from time to time. Communauto offers them an original, proven, low-cost solution. The advent of electric vehicles brings with it considerable additional benefit. In 2008, the RTC also put its Écolobus service into place, featuring emission-free ultra-quiet electric buses that help preserve a high-quality environment in Old Quebec. Implementation of this type of vehicle reflects Quebec City's willingness to protect the environment, offer additional sustainable modes of transportation and improve quality of life for the population."

Jacques Dorval, SPAQ president and chief executive officer, affirms that "our intent, in becoming involved in this project, was to make the Communauto user's experience even more enjoyable and, above all, more efficient. We welcome Communauto clients to our premises, where they can safely charge their vehicles 24/7."

"Movement Desjardins' partnership with Communauto is such a natural fit as we have been proposing electric vehicles and carpooling solutions to our members, employees and general public for years. With cycling, free cycling services, carpooling, public transport and now Communauto's electric vehicles, there's no reason we can't reduce our carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions," said Pauline D'Amboise of Mouvement Desjardins.

The first nine vehicles available in Montreal will be situated in the following parking lots: at the Desjardins complex, at Industrielle Alliance at 1981 McGill, at the City of Montreal lot at the intersection of St-Andre and Belanger, and at Ivanhoe Cambridge at the Centre de Commerce Mondial. In the following weeks, lots at Ivanhoé Cambridge at Place Ville Marie, at 1000 De la Gauchetière, at SIQ at L'Ilot Voyageur, at the Université of Montreal at Garage Louis-Colin and the lot at Maison Productive House will also be added to this list.

The first six vehicles available in Quebec City can be found in parking facilities at the following locations: Hôtel de Ville; SIQ, Place d'Youville; INRS University, Saint-Roch; and Ivanhoe Cambridge – Édifice de la Haute Ville.

Scientific follow-up on this project will be handled by the Centre National du Transport Avancé in Saint-Jérôme. Nissan Canada has agreed to deliver its vehicles on a priority basis and will continue its contribution, in the form of technical support – either directly or through two of its dealers: Nissan Park Avenue in the Montreal area and Nissan Beauport in Quebec City.

"Electricity is establishing itself as the new fuel for vehicles, and motorists are now free to choose a future with no exhaust emissions or fossil fuels," declared Allen Childs, President of Nissan Canada Inc. "This delivery of the first Nissan LEAFs in Quebec is only the beginning of a sustainable mobility movement in Canada, and we are delighted to partner with Communauto, whose carsharing service will give many more Quebecers a chance to drive this truly innovative car."

U.S.-based AeroVironment, along with AddÉnergie, the producer of Quebec's first charging station, will provide the charging docks chosen to supply power to the Communauto network. AddÉnergie, a company based in the Quebec City area, will bring away much from this initial experience in rolling out its charging docks.