Une subvention gouvernementale de 3,3 millions de dollars propulse un ambitieux projet de transport lourd électrique
MONTREAL, April 19, 2024 - The Government of Quebec has awarded Propulsion Québec financial assistance totaling nearly $3.3 million through 2026 to support the development of an eco-responsible goods delivery service. This pilot project, valued at $7.9 million, aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of decarbonized transport solutions to reduce the environmental impact of goods distribution from retailers to consumers. The concept will be tested along a corridor between the Quebec Metropolitan Community and Greater Montreal in collaboration with Nationex as the operator for this project and AttriX Technologies and Systra Canada as the technological and analytical partner with class 8 heavy-duty trucks.
Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, Minister responsible for Regional Economic Development, and Minister responsible for the Metropolis and the Montreal region, along with Geneviève Guilbault, Deputy Premier and Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, and Benoit Charette, Minister of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks and Minister responsible for the Laurentides region, announced this today.
The grant includes nearly $1.8 million from the Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy, and up to $1.5 million from the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility.
This project will also enable the acquisition of knowledge about heavy-duty electric transport. The data collected will contribute to the development of planning models in this field, analytical tools, and promotion and awareness campaigns within the industry.
Quotes: "I am clear: my goal is to make Quebec the first carbon-neutral state in North America. By adopting new technologies and supporting innovative projects like that of Propulsion Québec, we will meet our GHG reduction targets," said Pierre Fitzgibbon.
"Our government continues its efforts to electrify our economy and reduce our GHG emissions. By supporting the pilot project for shared and decarbonized delivery service led by Propulsion Québec, we are strengthening Quebec's position as a leader in sustainable mobility," stated Geneviève Guilbault.
"We know that the transport sector is the main emitter of GHGs in Quebec. To meet the targets we have set, it is essential to abandon fossil fuels in favor of clean energy. That is why we are proud to support an initiative like that of Propulsion Québec. It is together that we must innovate and evolve our practices to succeed in decarbonization!" explained Benoit Charette.
"As an industrial cluster in electric and intelligent transport, we are proud to deploy this innovative project, which will significantly advance the electrification of goods transport in Quebec through experimentation and data sharing. This concrete initiative will also allow us to learn about managing new technologies and guide truck fleet operators in their investment choices for decarbonized transport," said Michelle LLambias Meunier, CEO of Propulsion Québec.
"As the operator of this unprecedented logistical project, Nationex is delighted to test innovative technologies on such a large scale in Quebec for the first time, establishing a decarbonized corridor between the metropolis and the capital. The lessons learned, which will be transmitted to the entire ecosystem, will allow us to accelerate the deployment of a resilient and sustainable logistics chain. Congratulations and thank you to Propulsion Québec and the government for supporting the realization of this revolutionary pilot project!" stated Catryn Pinard, President and CEO of Nationex.
Anthony Mainville, President and Founder of AttriX Technologies and Co-President of the Zero Emission Trucking Community of Interest at Propulsion Québec, added, "This project is of crucial importance for the energy transition of the goods transport industry. It leverages Quebec's expertise in zero-emission transport. I applaud the audacity and leadership of Ms. Catryne Pinard and Nationex, who are positioning themselves as pioneers in zero-emission goods transport in Eastern Canada, and who will serve as an inspiring model for the entire industry."
Highlights:
- Propulsion Québec, the industrial cluster of electric and intelligent vehicles founded in 2017, catalyzes ecosystem stakeholders for the benefit of Quebec's economy and environment. Its objective is to consolidate Quebec's position among the global leaders in the development and deployment of these land transport modes.
- The eco-responsible delivery service project is part of the initiative to Promote Innovation in Transport, included in the 2023-2024 Budget Plan, which aims to address the challenges of transport electrification, sustainable development, climate change, and local purchasing. It complements initiatives from the Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy related to integrating best business practices in retail and online logistics, including Envoi Québec and Colibri.
- The transport sector is the main emitter of GHGs in Quebec, accounting for about 43% of emissions.
- The vehicle fleet for the pilot project will carry out combined goods transport in real conditions to consumers on behalf of various retailers.
- An integral part of this pilot project will focus on the collection, analysis, and sharing of data by project partners AttriX and SYSTRA Canada in collaboration with researchers from the Interuniversity Research Centre on Enterprise Networks, Logistics and Transportation. These data will serve to test the advantages and limitations of deploying this type of technology in Quebec.
- Founded in 1980 in Longueuil, Nationex delivers some 10 million parcels per year across Canada thanks to its network of 22 warehouses and a fleet of 400 trucks, of which 15% are electric. With a dozen delivery zones that are 100% electric, the company is already established as the Canadian leader in sustainable logistics.
SOURCE: Cabinet of the Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy and Minister responsible for Regional Economic Development
Contact Information:
- Mathieu St-Amand, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, Minister responsible for Regional Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Metropolis and the Montreal region, Tel: 418-691-5650;
- Maxime Roy, Director of Communications, Office of the Deputy Premier and Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Tel: 581-989-6037;
- Amélie Moffet, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks and Minister responsible for the Laurentides region, Tel: 581-994-0205;
- Jean-Pierre D'Auteuil, Media Relations Manager, Communications Directorate, Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy, Cell: 418-559-0710, Email: relationsmedias@economie.gouv.qc.ca;
- Geneviève Latour, Vice-President - Communications, Strategic Partnerships, and Community Relations, Propulsion Québec, Cell: 438-823-1894, Email: genevieve.latour@propulsionquebec.com.
- Roxane Loiseau, Project Manager and Communications, AttriX Technologies email: rloiseau@attrix.ca
