Taking Action to go Further

Drive Electric Program

On January 1, 2012, the refundable tax credit was replaced by a rebate program for the purchase or lease of electric vehicles offered to first-time purchasers or lessees. The rebate will be deducted from the purchase or lease price. Therefore, consumers will be able to observe the effect of the rebate on their electric vehicle’s bill of sale or lease agreement immediately.

Refund on the purchase and installation of charging stations

Any person or body corporate purchasing or leasing an all-electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid can also qualify for financial assistance for the purchase and installation of a 240 V charging station at home or at the workplace.

Education and promotional actions

To encourage Quebecers to choose electric vehicles, the government intends to undertake a promotional and educational campaign to answer their questions and also address issues of interest to industry partners such as municipalities, parking lot managers, and fleet owners.

Green license plate

Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) is introducing a special new license plate for electric vehicles. This “green” plate will be a way to make sure that only electric vehicles park in spots with charging stations. It will also be very helpful for municipal initiatives like the creation of reserved parking spaces or lanes.

Major projects: government, municipalities, private companies

In conjunction with municipal and private partners, the Government of Québec is aiming to purchase at least 400 electric vehicles for business use.

Likewise, the Québec government will set a leadership example by stipulating that at least 25% of its passenger vehicle purchases between now and 2020 be electric vehicles.

In addition, up to $10 million will be set aside for various electric vehicle demonstration projects.

Deployment strategy for public recharging infrastructures

Canada's first network of public charging stations for electric vehicles— Circuit éléctrique—is a Hydro-Québec initiative. The first stations will be installed in parking lots at Rôtisseries St-Hubert restaurants, Metro and Rona stores, and Agence métropolitaine de transport. This will enable electric vehicle owners to travel worry-free, knowing that they can top up the charge if needed. The Circuit éléctrique network is slated to debut in early 2012.

Practical guide to recharging

Hydro-Québec will create and distribute a practical guide for employers, parking facility operators, businesses, property developers, electricians, and municipal authorities. The guide will address the various questions raised with regard to electric vehicle charging.

Amendments to the Building Code for new buildings

Following study and consultations, Régie du bâtiment will draw up a report on suggested changes to the Québec Building Code to make it possible to install 240 volt wiring to support electric vehicle charging stations in new buildings.

Increased Support for Public-Transit Agencies in Switching to Electricity

The government will foster maximizing the proportion of fully electric buses in public-transit fleets and will provide for, if need be, an electricity-related component for each financial-aid program. The government aims at having 95% of trips on the province's public-transit system on electric-powered vehicles by 2030.

Government guidelines to step up the electrification of public transit

As part of the review of this policy, the government will submit its guidelines for consultation in order to accelerate electrification of public transit in Québec.

Acquisition of hybrid buses by public transit corporations

The government intends to authorize public transit corporations to include hybrid buses in calls for tender and thereby make them eligible for government funding.

Transit corporation service vehicles

The government intends to boost funding eligibility for the purchase of hybrid or electric service vehicles by public transit corporations from $30,000 to $40,000 under the following assistance programs:

• The Government Mass Transit Assistance Program, which covers 50% of eligible expenses
• The Transit Capital Program run by Société de financement des infrastructures locales du Québec, which covers 85% of eligible expenses

This increase will come into effect with the next Québec public transit policy and will entail an investment of $3 million. Thanks to this measure, public transit corporations can continue improving the fuel efficiency of their service vehicles (e.g., network supervisors' cars) and test new technology.

Technology watch, electric buses

The Québec government will support transit authorities seeking to learn about, test, and become more familiar with new technologies. A financial contribution covering 50% of eligible expenses up to $5 million over three years is planned. Hydro-Québec is contributing $500,000. Société de transport de Laval will be the first transit corporation to test an all-electric bus as part of this project.

Taxis

Given how big the taxi industry is and that financial assistance to improve vehicle fuel efficiency in the sector is available, the government wishes to discuss an action plan of financial help with representatives of this industry to make taxis more eco-friendly.

Electric vehicle sharing

Certain areas are less well served by public transit because of lower passenger volumes and could benefit from a car-share service provided in transit-owned rechargeable vehicles. Since October, 2011, an electric vehicles sharing project, the Clic project, takes place to Laval. Ten Chevrolet Volt are used by teams of four persons which share the car between their residence and the park-and-ride facility of the Agence métropolitain de transport (AMT). Besides the AMT, Hydro-Québec, Ville de Laval, Société de transport de Laval and the government of Québec contribute to the project.

The Québec government sets aside a total of $55 million to develop and strengthen the industry in Québec and thus generate a potential $500 million in private investments, helping to double the number of direct and indirect jobs from 1,500 to 5,000.

Support for research, development, and innovation

The government has set aside a further $36 million from existing government programs to support research, development, and innovation in the electric vehicle industry.

Industry research group

The government helps implement a group in the electric vehicle industry seeking to foster innovation and a collaborative research culture, based on the successful model provided by the aerospace industry.

Québec electric vehicle cluster

The Québec government has created the electric vehicle group, tasked with rallying partners around a common goal to ensure the industry is competitive. The group consists of stakeholders from the electric vehicle industry, including CNTA, ITAQ, Hydro-Québec, the Québec Ground Transportation Cluster, and various ministries, who are encouraged to coordinate their efforts and collaborate as a network.

Support for investment projects in Québec

The government of Québec will offer support to hybrid and electric vehicle assemblers and parts and systems manufacturers. This support will be available both to Québec-based assemblers and the subsidiaries of multinationals mandated by their parent companies to carry out projects in Québec. A minimum $30 million budget will be set aside for projects involving electric vehicles. Support will be provided in the form of loan guarantees and refundable contributions.

Attracting international manufacturers

With its abundant hydroelectric resources Québec can attract companies in new green technology sectors like electric vehicles. A $25 million budget will be set aside to attract foreign investment