Quebec champions EVs

Quebec EV incentives offer up to $8,000 rebates, support for charging stations, and supplier bonuses to accelerate zero-emission vehicles, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and leverage Hydro-Québec clean energy over a 10-year plan.

The Quebec government has unveiled more details on its ambitious plan to encourage more electric-powered vehicles in the province.

The Liberal electric car plan – initially announced in the 2011 budget – would position Quebec as a world leader in electrified transportation, even as some experts question the push for dominance, premier Jean Charest said.

The 10-year plan includes financial incentives up to $8,000 annually towards the purchase of an electric car.

Other incentives include bonuses for companies that produce electric car parts, and develop public recharging stations across the province.

Quebec would like to put 300,000 electric cars on the road in the next decade, building on testing electric cars in pilot programs.

The plan will cost more than $500,000, but the investment will pay off, Charest said.

“We need to encourage consumers to give this option consideration. We’d like them to think about it,” he said.

Increasing electric car use in the province is key to cutting Quebec’s greenhouse gas emissions, the premier said.

Hydro-Québec CEO Thierry Vandal, following its electric car joint venture earlier this year, hopes the convenience of electric-powered cars will appeal to Quebecers.

“You’re going to be plugging your car in overnight, and your car is going to be full when you leave home — your fuel is at home.”

The public utility stands to profit from Quebec’s shift to electricity-powered vehicles, though the ZENN initiative has drawn caution from critics.

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