Hydro-Québec, first company in Canada to acquire General Motors of Canada - Hydro-Québec and Chevrolet Canada today announced a new partnership by which Hydro-Québec will integrate 20 Chevrolet Volts into its fleet, starting in 2011.
"We are very pleased with this acquisition as it will enable us to include extended range technology in our portfolio of electric vehicle road tests," said Thierry Vandal, president and CEO of Hydro-Québec. "Over the coming years, the addition of vehicles propelled by clean, renewable energy will have a major impact on Québec's environmental balance sheet."
Indeed, by integrating the Volt into its fleet, Hydro-Québec intends to assess its environmental benefits, specifically in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions.
Quebeckers will likely spot many of Hydro-Québec's Chevrolet Volts during the second half of next year as they will mostly be used by customer service representatives and by regional community relations staff.
"We are happy to work with Hydro-Québec to promote vehicle electrification and prepare the market for the launch of the Chevrolet Volt," said Marc Comeau, vice president of sales, service, and marketing at Chevrolet Canada. "With its extended range capability, the Chevrolet Volt eliminates range-anxiety and gives customers the freedom to drive green without the fear of being stranded with a depleted battery."
As the world's first electric vehicle with extended range capability, the Volt has a total driving range of about 580 km. As per Chevrolet, the Volt is the only electric vehicle that can operate under a full range of climates and driving conditions without the limitations of a trditional battery electric vehicle. For the first 40 to 80 km, the Volt drives gas-free and produces zero tailpipe-emissions by using electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt's battery runs low, a 1.4-litre gas-powered engine/generator seamlessly engages to extend the driving range about 500 km on a full tank.
Volt can be charged via a standard 120 volt plug. However, those who would like to experience faster charging times could choose to install level 2 charging stations that are fed by 240 volts of electricity. Most homes that are heated via electricity, as is the case in Québec, can support the addition of a level 2 charging station without having any major electrical work done. Hydro-Québec will act as a liaison between Chevrolet Canada, master electricians and the Corporation des maitres électriciens (CMEQ) to ensure that future Volt drivers who wish to install such home charging stations can do so simply and efficiently.
Earlier today, Chevrolet named Montreal, Québec City and Gatineau as launch markets for the Chevrolet Volt in the second half of next year, along with Oshawa, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, and Victoria. Canadian pricing for the Volt has not yet been announced.
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