The Société des traversiers du Québec may replace its Quebec-Lévis ferries with electric vessels as the government signals decarbonization is “a priority”

One of Canada’s busiest ferry routes is a contender for full electrification in the coming years.

The Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ) oversees ferry operations across the province including the popular Quebec City–Lévis route. In 2025, the STQ says it will analyze options for the fleet’s replacement, with electric vessels contenders.

“It’s clear that the electrification of transport is a priority for the Quebec government,” says an STQ spokesperson, in an email to Electric Autonomy, in response to questions about any electrification plans for the aging ferries.

Currently, two ferries shuttle passengers and vehicles across the St. Lawrence River between the cities. Service starts at 6:00 a.m. and ends at 2:20 a.m. every day.

In the 2023-2024 alone, the Quebec-Lévis ferries transported 1,444,296 passengers and 276,103 vehicles on the roughly one kilometre (or 12 minute) journey.

The ferries also have ice breaking capabilities for winter travel.

STQ’s other zero-emission ferries

If the STQ decides to bring electric ferries to the Quebec City-Lévis crossing, it won’t be the first time the Quebec Crown corporation opted for a zero-emission option.

In January 2023, the STQ began the process of acquiring three electric ferries for the Sorel-Tracy and L’Isle-aux-Coudres crossings. The ferries will be operational by 2030.

The STQ cited the global success of electric technology in the maritime sector as a key factor in their decision.

Another reason for adoption was to help the STQ reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

For example, the Sorel-Tracy ferry alone will cut emissions by approximately 4,450 tonnes of CO2 per year. This is the equivalent of removing nearly 1,000 gas-powered cars from the roads, claims the STQ.

“In addition to reducing GHG emissions, this project will allow the STQ to improve the reliability and predictability of the service for the benefit of ferry users,” said Geneviève Guilbault, deputy prime minister and minister of transport and sustainable mobility, in a statement.

To obtain the three electric ferries, STQ is receiving a $191.5 million investment from Quebec’s Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility. The funds will also go, in part, towards related charging infrastructure for the ferries.

“The STQ is in the process of finalizing the business case for the new ferry acquisition project,” says the STQ spokesperson. “In addition to building the ferries, we need to ensure that we have the land infrastructure to accommodate them.”

Once the business case is complete, the project will move into the planning phase. After that, the STQ will issue tenders for vessel construction.

Delivery of the first electric ferry is scheduled for 2029.