Objective

Improve access to public charging stations for EV drivers who cannot have home charging.

Description

The Collective Energy consultation revealed that Quebecers want better access to electric vehicle charging.

The Hydro Lab has partnered with Hydro-Québec’s sustainable mobility experts to identify the needs and challenges regarding EV charging in an urban setting, where many residents park in the street and lack charging station access. After extensive interviews, surveys and meetings with partners, a number of findings have emerged. The teams are currently assessing different solutions to meet the wide range of EV charging needs.

Anticipated benefits

• Public charging options for EV drivers who don’t have home charging
• Development of new business models to encourage businesses to offer public charging
• Emergence of new charging solutions through innovation
• Glimpse into the future of EV charging and smart cities

Solutions explored

• Night charging in parking lots in partnership with the municipality and public-sector organizations
• Charging on city streetlights (partnerships in place to rethink connection agreements)
• Access to the charging systems used for EV fleets
• Think-tank sessions on the charging stations of the future (in progress, led by the Hydro-Québec research institute)
• More flexible pricing at public charging stations to facilitate night charging, reduce charging during peak periods and encourage partners to offer more charging stations