CALEB NICKERSON
MRC PONTIAC
June 5, 2019
MRC Pontiac is taking a lead in the adoption of electric car infrastructure, by taking part in a pilot project that will see the introduction of three charging stations to the region, as well as an electric vehicle for public use.
With 67 per cent of the cost being funded through the SAUVéR project, the MRC received their electric vehicle last week and will install a public charger at their office in Campbell’s Bay in the coming months.
In the future, two public chargers with two charging handles each will be installed in the MRC territory, at locations that are still to be determined.
Though it will be currently only used by MRC staff, Strategic Communication Advisor Jérémi Vaillancourt said that a reflection committee had been formed with local groups such as TransporAction to look at potential public transit uses for the vehicle.
Though they already have a charging station for the vehicle, Vaillancourt said that a public charger with two outlets would be coming to the Campbell’s Bay office in the near future.
In a press release MRC Director General Bernard Roy noted that the introduction of the car and charging stations would provide opportunities for green transportation in rural areas.
“With the acquisition of this first electric vehicle, the MRC intends to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and travel costs by 20 per cent by 2020,” Roy is quoted as saying. “In addition, the planned installation of two public charging stations will contribute to the development of the electric charging network in the axis of Route 148, currently absent west of Gatineau.”
