The founding partners of the Electric Circuit—Les R?tisseries St-Hubert, Rona, Metro, the Agence métropolitaine de transport (AMT) and Hydro-Quebec—have announced the first phase of the expansion of the system into eastern Quebec, with a majority of the electric vehicle (EV) charging stations located in the Bas-Saint-Laurent. With the first nine stations installed along main roads in the region, including highways 132 and 185, the partners say more EV drivers will be able to travel worry free. Furthermore, Les R?tisseries St-Hubert will also add two more charging stations to the network.
"The news was welcomed very enthusiastically and the City of Rimouski was pleased to sign on to the expansion project," said éric Forest, mayor of Rimouski. "There will be more and more electric cars on the roads and providing a charging station agrees with one of the fundamental principles dear to everyone in Rimouski: sustainable development."
"As the Electric Circuit expands to the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, we're delighted to welcome Quebecers to our restaurants in Rimouski and Rivière-du-loup, where they can enjoy a meal while charging their vehicles, either as part of their regular travels or while on vacation," said Richard Scofield, VP Restaurants at R?tisseries St-Hubert.
According to Hydro-Quebec, expanding the network in eastern Quebec has been one of the utility's top priorities this year. "We salute the enthusiasm and collaboration of our many partners in the Bas-Saint-Laurent who have decided to join the Electric Circuit, enabling us to offer public charging stations in this large region," said Pierre-Luc Desgagné, Hydro-Quebec's VP public and government affairs, on behalf of the Electric Circuit partners.
The Electric Circuit now offers more than 160, 240V charging stations in parking lots of the AMT, as well as those of select Rona hardware stores, Metro grocery stores and St-Hubert restaurants throughout Quebec. Since its launch March 2012, 42 other private and institutional partners have joined the Electric Circuit.
