Cars, trucks, buses… The list of vehicles eligible for government purchase incentives has grown over the years to accelerate the electrification of transportation. Even if they are associated with the entertainment niche, manufacturers of snowmobiles, personal watercraft and other recreational products hope that it will soon be their turn.
Posted at 6:00 a.m.
Since last June, the Quebec manufacturer of electric snowmobiles and personal watercraft Taiga has been registered in the Quebec Lobbyists Registry in the hope of seeing its products eligible for a purchase rebate under the Roulez vert program – which currently concerns road vehicles and motorcycles.
BRP, behind the Ski-Doo, Sea-Doo and Can-Am, recently modified its registration in order to see the Legault government to encourage it to adopt a “orientation favorable to the development of electric recreational vehicles”.
“We intend to enter into discussions with the government to include our products in any possible incentive program for the purchase of electric vehicles,” its spokesperson, Sandy Vassiadis, replied to a question from The Press.
She did not refer to the Roulez vert program.
The multinational based in Valcourt, which has seen its sales explode since the start of the pandemic, plans to invest 300 million over the next few years to electrify its snowmobiles, personal watercraft, ATVs, two-seater quads (“side-by-side vehicles”) ) and three-wheelers as well as its boats and pontoons.
The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, responsible for Roulez vert, did not respond to questions from The Press about the approaches of Taiga and BRP.
In Quebec, there are 234,000 snowmobiles as well as 444,000 all-terrain vehicles and two-seater UTVs registered, according to the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec. Transport Canada listed 27,300 pleasure craft licenses in the province. Almost all of these vehicles and boats emit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Target deployment
Among the promoters of electromobility, the electrification of the fleet of recreational vehicles depends in part on measures to encourage consumers to turn to these products.
“It’s not a premature idea at all,” said the president and CEO of Propulsion Québec, Sarah Houde, when asked about the requests from BRP and Taiga. The first users, if we think of recreational vehicles, could be companies and organizations that operate fleets, such as ski centers or SEPAQ. »
The autonomy of snowmobiles, personal watercraft and all-terrain vehicles is often mentioned as a challenge in terms of electrification. For the moment, the network of bollards is insufficient on the trails where users travel.
However, the picture is different in places like ski resorts and resorts, where the scope of action is more determined. It is on this aspect that we must bet in terms of recreational vehicles according to Daniel Breton, former PQ Minister of the Environment and President and CEO of Electric Mobility Canada.
I agree on this aspect. There is a component on air pollution that is underestimated in my opinion. A modern snowmobile pollutes like 40 cars. The gain would be extremely significant because these vehicles do not have the systems found on cars, for example.
Daniel Breton
The Society of Outdoor Establishments of Quebec (SEPAQ) has 98 fully electric tool vehicles, such as golf carts, in its fleet. The state-owned company has also integrated seven electric snowmobiles from the Quebec company Taiga.
Its spokesperson, Simon Boivin, indicated that they have been “tested” and that they “can respond very well to some of [leurs] operational needs.
“We are already using federal and provincial credits to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles and we will assess our eligibility for possible new incentives if necessary,” he wrote in an email.
Last November, Taiga pointed out that it had received orders from some 80 motor vehicle fleet companies in North America and Europe, for a total of approximately 400 units.
Mr. Breton adds that purchase incentives have already been deployed elsewhere in the country. The Yukon offers a $2,500 rebate on the purchase of a new zero-emission snowmobile, he points out.
Here, changes have recently been made to the Écocamionnage program, which aims to reduce GHG emissions in the freight transport sector, underlines Ms.me Houde. Cargo bikes and other types of vehicles are eligible for financial assistance.
“The number of vehicles that are small is growing,” she points out. I think recreational vehicles are in the same vein. »
SCREEN CAPTURE FROM BABBOE WEBSITE
An electrically-assisted cargo bike for transporting a dog is eligible for an assistance program from the Ministère des Transports du Québec.
Ideal for walking around, eligible for assistance from the MTQ
Its manufacturer presents it as the “solution for all dog lovers”. However, the Babboe Dog electric cargo bike is eligible for financial assistance from a government program for businesses, which surprises specialists in electric bicycles.
Administered by the Ministère des Transports du Québec (MTQ), the Écocamionnage program, which was recently renewed, aims to “increase the use of renewable energies and efficiency in the transportation of goods”. A range of initiatives, such as the financing of technologies, the purchase of equipment and low-speed electric vehicles, are supported.
In urban settings, the electric-assisted cargo bike is gaining popularity in the “last mile” delivery niche – the final segment of the supply chain. Twenty models offered by nine manufacturers are eligible for financial assistance, which can reach 35% of the invoice or $3,000.
The Babboe Dog electric cargo bike, which retails for around $3,100 on some sites, is the only model intended for canine transport on the Écocamionnage program’s list. Its manufacturer points out that it can also carry “1 or 2 children”.
“It’s a good question, answers Lamar Timmins, president and founder of Allo Vélo, which has a storefront in Montreal and Vancouver, when asked about the eligibility of the model for financial assistance. There are criteria to meet. When I look at the Electric Dog, I wonder how he managed to pass. »
Limit
President and founder of Montreal Parcel Delivery, Joffrey Fuzet also wonders about certain models of electric cargo bikes eligible for support from the Écocamionnage program.
He fails to see how a company can effectively use the electric Babboe Dog, which he points out resembles the bikes used by some convenience stores to make deliveries.
It’s something you can put three boxes in front of. We will not make deliveries with this. To turn in a bend at more than 15 kilometers per hour is dangerous. You risk tipping over.
Joffrey Fuzet, President and Founder of Montreal Bike Delivery
His company operates a fleet that includes a few models of electrically assisted cargo bikes.
In an email, the MTQ indicated that the Babboe Dog electric bike must be used “for commercial purposes since a Quebec business number” will be required in the event of a request.
“An individual would not be eligible since the use would be for personal purposes,” wrote his spokesperson Nicolas Vigneault.
He added that electric-assisted bicycles were already eligible for financial assistance under the Transportez vert program, launched in July 2019.
good intentions
Separately, Messrs. Timmins and Fuzet nevertheless pointed out that certain models eligible for the Écocamionnage program, in particular those offered by manufacturers Larry vs. Harry and Triobike, had proven themselves.
We can do better, but the intention is a “good starting point”, says the president and founder of Allo Vélo.
“The goal is to encourage this type of mode of transportation,” recalls Mr. Timmins. In Europe, there are many funding programs. But I still wonder what Benno products do in [la liste]. »
For his part, Mr. Fuzet wonders about the lack of incentives for trailers that are attached to the back of electric-assisted cargo bikes. He believes that companies like his should have been consulted by the Ministry of Transport.
According to MTQ documentation, the transportation sector accounted for nearly 36% of the province’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2018.