Decentralized technology and daisy chain energy distribution lowers costs for EV bus fleet in Quebec
Autobus Groupe Seguin in Montreal saved money by going with Chargepoly’s decentralized technology for electric bus fleet charging.— Chargepoly
Decentralized technology and daisy chain energy distribution lowers costs for EV bus fleet in Québec
This article is Partner Content presented by Chargepoly
As Canada’s school bus sector moves towards electrification, Autobus Groupe Seguin, a major Montreal-area operator, is proving that a smart strategy can cut costs. With an ambitious plan to electrify its fleet by 2030, the company isn’t just adding chargers, it’s redefining energy efficiency through Chargepoly’s decentralized technology.
The St-Elzéar site required 27 DC fast charging points. The dilemma? Deploying a robust infrastructure without skyrocketing costs or overloading the Hydro-Québec grid. Instead of installing a charger for every bus, Chargepoly took an “energy orchestrated” approach.
Standalone vs. decentralized
Unlike traditional monolithic solutions that require a full charger for every vehicle, Chargepoly uses just two power units to manage up to 27 satellite charging points, which can be ground- or wall-mounted. This system is designed to scale with a minimum footprint, as well as reduce energy, equipment and installation costs.
| Feature | Traditional standalone solution | Chargepoly decentralized solution |
| Architecture | One full charger per bus | 2 power units (PU) for 27 points |
| Installed power | 648 kW to 810 kW | 480 kW (smart power sharing) |
| Charging mode | Simultaneous (high-peak demand) | Sequential & intelligent (optimized) |
Significant costs savings
Fewer pieces of equipment translates to a significant savings — in more than one way. For 27 charging points, the equipment acquisition saving is $100,000. The real impact, however, is in installation: Chargepoly’s solution is 25 per cent to 40 per cent cheaper to install.
The daisy chain advantage
Chargepoly’s daisy chain distribution setup transforms site scalability. Adding more charging points for more buses would require a simple line extension rather than new excavations. Better yet, the infrastructure is already prepared for the next generation of school buses, capable of delivering up to 120 kW per point without major modifications.
In short, Chargepoly has given Autobus Groupe Seguin a complete fleet charging solution with less installed power, lower costs and a smaller footprint than a traditional setup.
Visit Chargepoly to see how they can cut your fleet charging costs.
