QUEBEC COMMITS TO A ZERO-EMISSION TRUCKING REVOLUTION WITH PROPULSION QUEBEC AND NATIONEX, SUPPORTED BY THE TECHNOLOGICAL EXPERTISE OF ATTRIX

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."