The city of Montreal, where the Season 3 Formula E championship concludes next weekend, has bold plans to increase the electrification of its transport infrastructure.
As part of the commitments of the COP21 Climate Summit signed by Canada in 2016, Montreal has pledged to get its CO2 emissions down by 30 per cent compared to the levels of 1990 by 2020.
A key part of this is the Transportation Electrification Strategy. This is made up of 10 strategic goals.
- Incorporate transportation electrification needs into the planning and management of the city’s housing stock
- Convert the municipal fleet of combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles
- Implement an economic development action plan to develop a local transportation electrification and intelligent transportation sector
- Create an institute on electrification and intelligent transportation
- Electrify the public transportation network operated by Montreal’s municipal transportation agency
- Participate actively in the Reseau Electrique Metropolitan
- Implement the electrification measures set out in the Parking Policy
- Roll out a network of charging stations to support the desired gradual conversion of Montreal’s automobile stock
- Implement a framework to facilitate the private sector roll-out of a self-serve network of electric vehicles
- Ensure ongoing collaboration with public and private partners in the electrification initiatives and in the promotion of sustainable mobility
As part of these goals the city is in the process of installing a charging network with the aim of having 1000 in place by 2020. Key to this was joining the Hydro-Quebec Electric Circuit in 2013. This is Canada’s first public network of charging stations for electric vehicles, powered by clean and renewable energy. Hydro Quebec is the sponsor of this weekend’s ePrix.
Denis Coderre, the Mayor of Montreal, said: “Municipalities are increasingly being asked to take a more significant role in the fight against climate change and Montreal plans to act as a model for other cities around the world. The Transportation Electrification Strategy includes 10 strategic goals to create an environment that will foster innovation and support the transition to renewable and sustainable energy forms.”