Electric vehicle drivers in Montreal can now say their vehicles are supercharged, thanks to a new initiative from financial cooperative Desjardins Group, the Electric Circuit charging station network, and Hydro-Québec.

On Aug. 19, Desjardins and Hydro-Québec announced a “superstation” was open at the Complexe Desjardins in Quartier des Spectacles in Montreal. The site features four 50-kilowatt charging stations.

The opening is the first step in a larger initiative that will see the companies install 200 charging stations at caisse locations in Quebec and Eastern Ontario.

“This project is just one of the many important decisions we’ve made in recent years to accelerate the energy transition,“ said Pauline D’Amboise, secretary general and vice-president, Governance and Sustainable Development Division at Desjardins. “We’ve also made our operations carbon-neutral, invested in renewable energy projects, lowered the carbon footprint of our investment portfolios, and given our members and clients the opportunity to do the same.“

The initiative is also designed to help reduce the province’s carbon footprint, by encouraging its residents to reduce their own impact.

“This project is just one of the ways we’re doing everything we can to ensure a healthier future that includes cleaner air, better public health and a higher trade balance,“ said France Lampron, director of transportation electrification at Hydro-Québec and president of Electric Circuit.

The partners plan to have all 200 of the stations installed by 2021. They will join the 2,000 charging stations the Electric Circuit already operates, 200 of which have fast chargers.

A timeline regarding the installation of the other chargers, minus the completion date, hasn’t been announced.

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