Québec grants $1.6 million in funding for an electric taxi pilot project

Program to support electric taxi demonstration projects

LAVAL, QC, May 22, 2018 – The Government of Québec has granted $1.6 million in funding to the Coop des propriétaires de taxi de Laval to replace 28 vehicles in its fleet with different types of electric cars and assess them in actual conditions of use. The project also expects to implement a charging infrastructure reserved for taxi vehicles, with slow-charging stations (240 V) and fast-charging stations (400 V).

Francine Charbonneau, Minister responsible for Seniors and Anti-Bullying and Minister responsible for the Laval region, made the announcement today on behalf of the Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification, André Fortin, and the Minister of Sustainable Development, the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change, Isabelle Melançon.

This funding is granted as part of the program to support electric taxi demonstration projects, a program funded by the Fonds vert that ended on March 31, 2018. The total cost of the project is estimated at $3,414,390. Taxi owners who are members of the co-op will acquire the electric vehicles and thus contribute $1,170,000 to the project. The Ville de Laval will cover 50% of the charging infrastructure’s cost, to a maximum of $300,000. A $344,390 contribution from the co-op will provide the remaining funding for the project.

Quotes:

This project, which is part of the 2015-2020 Transportation Electrification Action Plan, will help the Government of Québec achieve its goals. It will bring new momentum to taxi transportation services and support the industry in its current modernization process. It will also promote the benefits of electric vehicles among Laval residents.

– André Fortin, Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification

The transportation sector alone contributes nearly 42% of greenhouse gas emissions in Québec. We therefore have to take action in this sector in order to fight climate change. We are proud to support this project through the 2013-2020 Climate Change Action Plan and the Fonds vert. In addition to modernizing the taxi industry, it will reduce the transportation sector’s environmental impact.

– Isabelle Melançon, Minister of Sustainable Development, the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change

This project will expand the electric transportation supply throughout Laval. It is a big step towards improving the quality of life of Laval residents. I am also very proud that Laval is first in line to host a project of this scale. Our region supports the principles of sustainable development and the fight against climate change.

– Francine Charbonneau, Minister responsible for Seniors and Anti-Bullying and Minister responsible for the Laval region

The Ville de Laval, like the government, hopes to see more electric vehicles on the road, including taxis. For this reason, the Ville de Laval intends to grant a $112,000 subsidy to Coop Taxi to help it acquire its 28 electric vehicles ($4,000/vehicle). This grant will be allocated from the greenhouse gas offset program reserve, the funds of which come from a specific rate applied to developers.

– Marc Demers, Mayor of Laval

Key points

The program to support electric taxi demonstration projects ended on March 31, 2018.

• Its three objectives were to:
  • Carry out pilot projects on the electrification of taxis and specialized taxis;
  • Assess complementary technologies to improve electric taxi transportation services;
  • Raise awareness among taxi owners and the general population.
• It was funded by the Fonds vert, whose revenues are mainly derived from the carbon market, as part of the 2013-2020 Climate Change Action Plan.
• It was allocated a $6.6 million budget over three years and was part of the 2015-2020 Transportation Electrification Action Plan, which aims to make Québec a leader in the use of electric-powered means of transportation and a trailblazer in the realm of sustainable mobility.

On the electric taxi project in the Coop des propriétaires de taxi de Laval:

• The project will be carried out in two steps: first, a phase for analyzing, designing and implementing the charging infrastructure (January to October 2018), and second, a phase to assess vehicles in actual conditions of use (October 2018 to November 2021). The cars will be equipped with a data-collection system, and the assessment will be based on the performance of both vehicles and the charging infrastructure, their financial profitability, as well as customer and driver satisfaction.
• The co-op hopes to meet the following objectives:
  • Further develop its expertise in electric vehicles;
  • Speed up the integration of innovation in taxi transportation services;
  • Raise awareness among taxi owners and help users feel secure with a regulated and professional service;
  • Measure the financial profitability of gasoline vehicles compared to that of hybrid vehicles (14% of the fleet) and electric vehicles (26% of the fleet);
  • Bring together both private and public partners in Laval who will help fund and implement the project;
  • Raise awareness and educate customers about these new technologies.

Related links:

• Ministère des Transports, de la Mobilité durable et de l’Électrification des transports: www.transports.gouv.qc.ca.
• Fonds vert: www.mddelcc.gouv.qc.ca/ministere/fonds-vert (in French only)
  2013-2020 Climate Change Action Plan