Canada is one of the countries that has been establishing electric mobility on the road for the longest time. By 2016, the country reached 20,000 units on the road, as part of a sustainable plan to allow no more electrified vehicles by 2035.
By 2013, the Quebec City government approved 516 million Canadian dollars, about 367 million euros, to become one of the world leaders in electric transportation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to economic development by creating a large number of jobs.
This policy of the region is continuing its course in 2022, and this week, the board of directors of Réseau de Transport de la Capitale (RTC), in charge of urban transport in Quebec, authorized a $61 million loan charter for the acquisition of 30 electric vehicles by 2026.
The arrival of these first 100 percent electrified buses will truly mark the beginning of the transition to fleet operation, as these are the first to be operated at the Newton complex, RTC’s third fully dedicated electrification operations facility.
Hitachi to Lead Charging Infrastructure
In order to keep urban transportation running optimally, RTC authorities have also made provision for charging infrastructure by awarding a contract to Hitachi Energy for the procurement of high-end equipment to supply power.
Since this is a new technology, tests will be conducted to validate the compatibility and performance of the charging equipment with various models of electric buses available on the market. These tests, which will be conducted jointly with Hitachi, will provide relevant information on the integration of innovations and will guide future tenders.
Maude Mercier Larouche, President of RTC, stressed that the transport electrification project is central to the 2018-2027 Strategic Plan, which is why they are doing everything possible to properly implement this important energy transition.
“With the creation of a dedicated electrification project office, the acquisition of the Newton facility and the deployment of the pilot project for the testing of 100% electric vehicles, RTC is ensuring that it is efficiently orchestrating the relevant process that is underway and will deliver benefits for all,” he said.
Sophisticated Equipment
To make charging an effective and fast process, Hitachi has “Grid-eMotion™ Fleet,” a complete solution for large-scale commercial and public transportation fleets enabling operators to charge more with less.
It is an innovative grid-to-plug EV charging system that offers an advanced approach for commercial and public transport operators. The smart mobility solution allows them to efficiently scale their operations, and is expected to contribute to a sustainable society for millions of people living in urban areas.
Hitachi has been a pioneer in electric vehicle charging solutions since 2013, when the company first introduced innovative fast-charging eBus solutions in Geneva and Nantes.
Through close collaboration with transport operators, Hitachi has identified the market need for a large-scale charging approach.
