Holding the title of Canada's largest electric vehicle project is certainly an accomplishment and it will soon be in the hands of Mitsubishi. The company will soon bring 50 i-MiEVs to the providence of Montreal allowing them to claim the title of the largest fleet of EVs in the nation.
The i-MiEVs will head to the Boucherville suburb of Montreal and will be provided by Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada. The company is partnering with Hydro Quebec in the effort to bring EVs to the northern nation. Hydro Quebec is a leading electricity supplier for the region and they generate a significant portion of the electricity through clean methods such as hydropower and wind turbines.
The i-MiEvs will likely undergo long-term fleet testing through the various rigorous and sever conditions that cover much of the providence. Mitsubishi claims that the trial will subject the vehicles to fall and winter conditions in the urban environments of Boucherville.
Additional information is included in the press release below. Few specifics about the program are available at this time so stay with us to hear more as information becomes available.
Source: Mitsubishi Press Release
Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada, a Division of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, and Hydro-Québec Partner in Canada's Largest Electric Vehicle Project
Ambitious undertaking will put up to 50 i-MiEV all-electric cars on Boucherville roads
Tokyo, January 15, 2010 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced an unprecedented collaboration by its Canadian unit Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada Inc. (MMSCAN) and Hydro-Québec that will put up to 50 zero-emission all-electric i-MiEV passenger cars on the streets of the City of Boucherville, an independent municipality and a suburb of Montreal, in the largest Canadian project ever fielded to integrate, test, and evaluate all-electric vehicles on urban streets under real-world conditions.
Announced also at the Montreal International Auto Show, the pilot program will expose fleet drivers from Boucherville, Hydro Québec, and other approved companies to the Mitsubishi i-MiEV all electric minicar, in both fall and winter urban conditions.
"We are very proud to be leading the way to a greener and more sustainable future by developing environment-friendly vehicles, fueled by clean, renewable energy," said Koji Soga, president and CEO of MMSCAN. "Mitsubishi Motors is a leader in electric car development and the i-MiEV represents the pinnacle of our green technologies. In the same sense, Hydro-Québec and the City of Boucherville are demonstrating their environmental leadership by participating in this unique initiative."
Hydro-Québec President and CEO Thierry Vandal said that the project is a vital element in the company's commitment to environmental stewardship. "Hydro-Québec is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by playing a key role in the electrification of transportation. This trial is designed to study the vehicles' charging behaviour, driving experience as well as overall driver satisfaction. It will also allow Hydro-Québec to evaluate the challenges involved in integrating electric vehicles into its grid."
"This is a truly exciting project for the City of Boucherville," said Boucherville Mayor Jean Martel. "We look forward to participating alongside our leading local businesses to help Hydro-Québec and Mitsubishi gather meaningful data."
About Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada
Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada Inc. is committed to green technologies and Mitsubishi Motors Japan, is a world leader in electric car research and development. For further information, visit www.mitsubishi-motors-pr.ca
About Hydro-Québec
Hydro-Québec generates, transmits and distributes electricity. Its sole shareholder is the Québec government. It uses mainly renewable generating options, in particular hydropower, and supports the development of wind energy through purchases from independent power producers. It also conducts research in energy-related fields, such as energy efficiency. For more information on Hydro-Québec, please visit www.hydroQuébec.com or for details on its electric transportation plans, visit www.hydroQuébec.com/electrification-transport
