CARBON-FREE LAST MILE
Montreal, June 23, 2025- Propulsion Québec, the electric and intelligent transport cluster, today inaugurates a second zero-emission delivery hub, in the presence of Michelle Llambías-Meunier, CEO of Propulsion Québec, Victor Poudelet, Director of Sustainable Development for Intelcom and Marie-Andrée Mauger, Mayor of the borough of Verdun. This event marks a significant step in the transformation of urban logistics towards more sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices.
This new hub aims to reduce the carbon footprint of urban deliveries, improve citizens' quality of life and encourage the adoption of sustainable transportation solutions in densely populated areas. It follows on from the pilot project launched in November 2024 in the Rosemont - La-Petite-Patrie borough, which has already demonstrated promising results in terms of emissions reduction and logistical efficiency.
The delivery hub is a delivery stage between the sorting center and the home. This second hub will host the Intelcom carrier, who will be able to drop off parcels for delivery using zero-emission vehicles (cargo bikes, 100% electric vehicles). Deployment will continue over the coming months to cover a wider area.
This project is made possible thanks to the financial support of the Government of Quebec - Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable and the participation of the carriers involved.
A replicable model for other boroughs
The introduction of a second zero-emission delivery hub in Verdun is part of a structured approach to testing a logistics model that can be adapted to different urban contexts. The project is based on a pilot approach aimed at gathering concrete data on the environmental, social and operational impacts of this type of infrastructure, taking into account the specific realities of each borough.
In addition to its environmental benefits, the project promotes better cohabitation between logistics functions and living environments, by limiting noise, congestion and conflicts of use in public space. It's an innovative solution, rooted in the objectives of ecological transition, which can serve as a benchmark for rethinking urban delivery on a regional scale.
Quotes
"The launch of the zero-emission delivery hub in Verdun marks another concrete step forward in our mission to decarbonize urban freight transport. Thanks to close collaboration between public and private players, we are demonstrating that it is possible to improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods while enhancing the efficiency of supply chains. This initiative is not limited to a local project: it paves the way for a model of sustainable urban mobility that is more sober, more fluid and better adapted to the realities of modern cities. We hope it will inspire other boroughs to follow suit." says Michelle Llambías-Meunier, President and CEO of Propulsion Québec.
"We need to multiply initiatives like this wherever urban density allows. Continuing to innovate with solutions adapted to different realities is the key to decarbonized last-mile delivery that integrates harmoniously into the entire logistics chain. Our fleets of electric vehicles continue to grow, and the cargo bikes that will complete deliveries from this hub add to this very tangible transformation that we are deploying everywhere we operate."says Sarah Houde, Vice-President, Delivery Partner Network, Route Optimization and Global Sustainability.
"The growing number of mini-poles developed by Propulsion Québec is excellent news for our neighborhoods! By centralizing certain deliveries, these infrastructures both improve safety in our living environments and reduce our environmental impact. Thanks to this kind of project, we hope to reduce the number of trucks needed for the last few kilometers of deliveries, and make everyone's journeys even safer. And it's by multiplying this kind of initiative, in collaboration with the community, that we'll be able to bring about a real change in the culture of goods transport in our metropolis. Thank you to all our partners, and we look forward to seeing other hubs spring up elsewhere in Montreal.says Sophie Mauzerolle, responsible for mobility and transport issues on the executive committee.
"The establishment of a zero-emission delivery hub is excellent news for Verdun, and the realization of a project we've been hoping to see for many years. Parcel delivery using small, zero-emission vehicles will contribute directly to reducing trucking on our streets and calming our neighborhoods by reducing noise, traffic, GHG emissions and air pollutants. What's more, this innovative project supports more efficient urban logistics. Verdun is proud to play a leading role in this sustainable transformation. says Marie-Andrée Mauger, Mayor of the Borough of Verdun.
About Propulsion Québec
Quebec's Electric and Intelligent Transportation Industry Cluster is a non-profit organization whose mission is to accelerate the growth of Quebec's zero-emission ground transportation industry and strengthen its international competitiveness. It was created in 2017 and today has over 215 member organizations from the TEI ecosystem that it represents and mobilizes around initiatives. Propulsion Québec is currently focusing its initiatives around three sectors: zero-emission vehicles, charging and batteries. The cluster is financially supported by the Government of Quebec, the Government of Canada, the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM), Fasken and Hydro-Québec, and the Fonds de solidarité FTQ.
