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Facilitating electric vehicle charging in urban centers with 4K new stations

A curbside charging station of The Electric Circuit for recharging electric vehicles in urban centers. (CNW Group/Hydro-Québec)

MONTRÉAL — The Electric Circuit, in partnership with Québec’s municipalities, will be rolling out 4,500 standard charging stations by 2028, to meet the needs of electric vehicle drivers who do not have access to home charging.

“Transportation electrification is central to both reducing GHG emissions and transforming our economy,” said Jonatan Julien, Québec Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, in a prepared statement. “Our government has ambitious goals for Québec and this important announcement about the roll-out of electric vehicle charging stations is yet another indication of our commitment to the energy transition.”

To support this initiative, a grant program is being offered to municipalities, through which Hydro-Québec is providing financial assistance of up to $12,000 per standard charging station.

Charging stations must meet one of the following charging needs:

• Overnight charging in neighborhoods where electric vehicle owners do not have access to private outdoor outlets
• Daytime charging downtown and near shops

In addition, the municipality must allow access to the curbside station 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and offer free parking in front of the curbside station from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.