Hydro-Québec has enabled electric car drivers to save 33 million liters of gasoline since the creation of its circuit of charging stations in 2012. While the state-owned company has many reasons to celebrate, it has no stop dreaming.
Posted at 10:00 a.m.
These days, more than 150,000 people are registered with the Electric Circuit. The service welcomed more than 52,000 new users in 2021 alone. The same year, the milestone of one million recharges in one year was reached.
Enough to encourage the managers of the Electric Circuit for the future. “There is a real enthusiasm, but we don’t want to be ahead of the parade, otherwise it would involve somewhat wasted spending in terms of infrastructure deployment, explains Jonathan Côté, spokesperson at Hydro-Québec. Our goal is to remain in the forefront to support development. »
Changing mindsets
The “parade” has come a long way since the creation of the circuit.
10 years ago, when we launched around 30 charging stations, we had almost one charging station per electric vehicle owner in Quebec.
Jonathan Côté, spokesperson
at Hydro-Quebec
Fond of new technologies and beneficial solutions for the environment, these enthusiastic buyers have since been joined by the general public. “Almost everyone is considering buying an electric vehicle. It is no longer perceived as something unknown, complicated and inaccessible. »
However, there are those who believe that they will constantly queue to recharge their vehicle. “In reality, the majority of terminals are underused,” says the spokesperson. With the exception of the exceptional crowds during the construction holidays, it is quieter for the overwhelming majority of terminals. »
As soon as the organization notices increased use in an area, it will install other terminals there. “We follow the statistics in real time. »
Multiplication of terminals
The network has around 3,800 terminals, including nearly 700 rapids, but the situation is constantly changing. From 1er January to 1er July 2022, 83 new fast charging stations were installed instead of the 55 planned.
“We keep an eye on the statistics of the number of electric vehicles on the roads to follow the curve. »
If we see an acceleration in the number of deliveries of electric vehicles, we will keep pace to maintain a good ratio of fast charging stations per vehicle.
Jonathan Côté, spokesperson
at Hydro-Quebec
Despite delivery times from car manufacturers, a wave of new electric cars will sweep across Quebec. Therefore, the Electric Circuit plans to add 1,800 fast charging stations by 2030 and to increase the number of level 2 charging stations so that users can connect in different cities, thanks to subsidies offered to municipalities.
Additions that will allow Quebec to stay ahead of its neighbours. “In Quebec, you can go almost anywhere in the region, whereas it would be unthinkable in the United States and Ontario, because the terminals are mainly concentrated on the major highways. When you want to get out, it’s the desert,” says Jonathan Côté, spokesperson for Hydro-Québec.