Creation of Electric Transportation Institute : Québec aims to become a World Leader
(Picture from TVANouvelles.ca)
As mentioned in another article on TimeToElectrify.ca, the province of Québec has implemented a Transportation Electrification Strategy 2013-2017.
The section 2.1.1 is about the creation of an Electric Transportation Institute. This institute will become a leader in North America.
Creating the Institut du transport électrique (Electric Transportation Institute)
The priority of the Institut du transport électrique will be to advance transportation electrification by acting as a bridge between companies and technological developments in the field.
— The Institut will support the development of industrial and commercial collaborations and a strong, innovative industrial sector, the key to Québec’s future prosperity.
— It will have to meet the needs of both the heavy vehicle industry (vehicles used in public transit, for example) and the light vehicle industry.
— The Institut will seek to bring knowledge and expertise together in order to design and manufacture EVs for public, personal and specialized transit, drawing on Québec ingenuity.
— Its projects will target a variety of transportation electrification fields, including batteries, electric motors, smart grids, information networks, design, lightweight materials and electronics.
The Institut will also be tasked with manufacturing short runs of pre-production prototypes—a need expressed by the market—as well as providing access to a test track adapted for this type of vehicle. It will allow both large and smaller companies to take advantage of its know-how.
The Institut will forge a special relationship with IREQ (Hydro-Québec Research Insitute), a recognized world leader in the field of electricity production, transmission and storage.
— In so doing, it will be able to draw on IREQ’s expertise as well as use its equipment and advanced technologies. IREQ is a long-standing world leader in battery materials and has state-of-the-art equipment.
— Researchers from Québec’s universities and specialized centres will be encouraged to participate in the research work and forge ties with industry, both in Québec and abroad.
— The Institut de transport électrique will disseminate the results of the research and development work and promote Québec’s expertise in order to attract world-renowned researchers to Québec and secure national and international mandates.
The province of Québec is aiming really high with its Transportation Electrification Strategy.
What will Ontario and British Columbia choose to accomplish in future years ?
I think every province is Canada should develop policies for electric vehicles. I certainly hope that Ontario and BC will also try to follow Québec’s strategy. There is a lot more to accomplish !! Among the millions of cars and trucks, only 6 000 are electric in Canada. This means in ten years from now, a lot more EV will be on the roads. We need leadership all over the country.
Ontario is so far behind. It’s a pitiful embarrassment that the nations capital doesn’t even have charging stations within walking distance of Parliament- aside from a single station at Ottawa City Hall.
Wake up Ottawa and move!
John, I do have a project for Ottawa. I will need help from people from all over the city in the coming months. You will be part of this guaranteed !