The Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna recently made a green infrastructure announcement in Montreal on behalf of the Minister of Natural Resources, Amarjeet Sohi. Electric and alternative fuel vehicles play a key role in reducing pollution. To that end the federal government will be investing $5-million to build 100 electric vehicle (EV) fast chargers across Quebec.
Hydro-Quebec will build the chargers with funding through Natural Resources Canada. The Electric Vehicle and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Deployment Initiative (EVAFIDI) will be part of Hydro-Quebec’s Electric Circuit – the largest public charging network for electric vehicles in Canada. The goal is to encourage greener choices by delivering more options to motorists so they can drive more readily where they need to go.
McKenna announced the new green funding initiative on Twitter the day before her stopover in Montreal: “It’s a great pleasure to announce Canada’s investment in Quebec’s electric vehicle infrastructure: a $5 million investment with @HydroQuebec!” The new EV infrastructure will span major highways from Abitibi to Côte-Nord. The fast-charging stations can purportedly charge a vehicle’s battery to 80 per cent in half an hour. Increasing the number of charging stations will make it easier for drivers to use electric vehicles.
McKenna touted the economic benefits of the investment as well. We know that climate change is real and it’s having a huge economic cost, but at the same time we have a huge economic opportunity, she said. The Liberal Government supports green infrastructure projects that will create new jobs while allowing Canada to reach its domestic and international climate targets.
France Lampron, the director of transportation electrification at Hydro-Quebec, said Hydro wants to send the message to future buyers of electric vehicles that charging stations will be available. Hydro says it plans to build 1,600 fast-charging stations in Quebec over the next 10 years.
By: Deborah Rankin – info@mtltimes.ca
