To ensure the successful integration of the electric ambulance across Quebec, Propulsion Québec proposes the first phase of deploying electric ambulances as a real-world demonstration project. The latter will be rolled out in several regions with different environments. The Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy, through the Support Program for Economic Development Projects, is financially supporting the project to the tune of nearly $1.2M to complete it.
Real-world testing on Quebec’s roads constitutes the final decisive step to demonstrate the ability of this 100% electric vehicle to adapt to Quebec’s environment.
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Project objectives
Demonstrate the reliability of fully electric ambulances in real and diverse conditions.
Document the experience and commissioning of electric ambulances to reassure and convince operators and users.
Validate innovative charging systems better adapted to the operations of prehospital services.
Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to ambulance use (sustainability objective set for ambulance companies).
Implement the project with operators and the public.
Demonstrate social acceptability for a widespread deployment of electric ambulances in Quebec.
The project will span a minimum period of two years, allowing it to cover two winter seasons. It is an opportunity to showcase the know-how of the Quebec manufacturer, in a particularly demanding usage context, due notably to the long distances in the regions and Quebec’s climate. For each ambulance, charging stations will be deployed at the company’s garage and at the served hospital or at identified standby posts. This real-world demonstration will also collect strategic data for the improvement/development of electric ambulances, for example evaluating battery range according to distances between regional hospitals.
Participating companies in the project will benefit from charging infrastructure in addition to a personalized support from experts in transport electrification for the training, commissioning and operation of vehicles and charging infrastructure.
Electric ambulances acquired under the project will be distributed across Quebec, in various urban, suburban and rural regions. Pilot project participants will be selected according to identification and prioritization criteria, through a neutral and anonymous process.
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FAQ
Pilot project – general information
Why did Propulsion Québec choose to set up a pilot project on the electrification of ambulance transport?
For more than 5 years, Propulsion Québec, the cluster for electric and intelligent transportation (EIT), has had the mission of accelerating the development of Quebec’s EIT industry by supporting the development of a green and sustainable Quebec economy. Quebec currently has all the assets: available electricity, abundant natural resources, high-caliber research expertise and industrial know-how recognized internationally, including a strong industrial sector in transport electrification.
The pilot project to deploy electric ambulances in Quebec therefore aligns with the desire to concretely decarbonize the province’s land transport and to showcase the innovations and major advances of Quebec’s transport sector.What does the pilot project consist of?
This pilot project consists of providing financial and operational support as well as change management to participating ambulance companies, supporting the commissioning of ten electric ambulance vehicles in different regions and ambulance zones of Quebec.
The pilot project is administered by Propulsion Québec with the support of the Institut du véhicule innovant. Propulsion Québec will ensure the selection of participating companies in the pilot project, will support them in their electrification efforts, and will ensure optimal use of the financial resources invested in this initiative.
The pilot project has a duration of two years (24 months) and will end in April 2026.Who is the pilot project intended for?
All ambulance companies in Quebec can participate. To participate, interested companies will have to provide operational, administrative and technical information. Sharing this information for the purposes of qualifying for the pilot project will allow Propulsion Québec to determine companies’ eligibility based on established criteria, including an analysis of the electric ambulance’s capacity to perform its projected mission within the ambulance zone.
Modalities and application process
What are the terms of the pilot project?
The project, which will span a period of two years, includes support for the acquisition of 10 electric ambulances and the required charging infrastructure.
The cost of participation in the project is approximately $450,000 per ambulance zone. After signing the agreement, a deposit of $130,000 must be paid at the time of ordering and the remaining balance upon delivery of the vehicle.
This cost includes: the acquisition of a Demers eFX ambulance subsidized at a value of $775,000 (without options), a charging station and its installation at an off-station standby site, and personalized support until April 2026 from Propulsion Québec, the Institut du véhicule innovant and Demers Ambulances.
Companies can also take advantage of financial assistance of up to 50% of the cost of in-station charging stations under the Transport vert program. Details can be found here.What are the main steps of the application process?
Interested companies must complete the form before April 15, 2024. Propulsion Québec will analyze the submissions and will contact preselected companies within two to three weeks.
These companies will then be invited to share historical operational data. Selected companies will confirm their participation and place an order. The remaining balance will be payable at the time of vehicle takeover between September 2024 and January 2025.Why a limit of ten vehicles?
The Quebec government will support the first phase of electrifying the ambulance sector in order to evaluate the type of support necessary for a larger-scale deployment.
Other advantages of participating in the pilot project
By participating in the pilot project, ambulance companies will have the opportunity to be among the first actors in ambulance transport electrification in North America. They will also have the opportunity to benefit from access to an ecosystem of experts from Propulsion Québec and the Institut du véhicule innovant dedicated to the successful commissioning of their first electric ambulance vehicles.
Demers Ambulance estimates that each ambulance could avoid between 40 and 50 tonnes of GHG on average per year over ten years, which is the projected service life of the Demers eFX ambulance.
