2024–2029 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR THE PLAN FOR A GREEN ECONOMY
Propulsion Québec, the industrial cluster for electric and intelligent transportation, welcomes the 2024–2029 Implementation Plan for the Plan for a Green Economy presented yesterday by the Minister of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks, Mr. Benoît Charette. The $4 billion over five years aimed at reducing GHG emissions in the transportation sector will contribute to meeting climate targets and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The electrification of transport, combined with greater energy sobriety, will help improve the province’s environmental performance.
“In Quebec, the transportation sector is the largest emitter and accounts for 42.6% of total GHG emissions. Decarbonizing this sector through electrification and energy efficiency has significant environmental importance and must be prioritized. We are therefore pleased to see that the fourth Implementation Plan stays the course on the ambitious transportation electrification targets while maintaining incentive programs for the transition,” says Michelle LLambias Meunier, President and CEO of Propulsion Québec.
ZEV sector: continuation of incentive programs
Propulsion Québec welcomes the continuation of the following incentive programs through 2029:
- School Transport Electrification Program
- Écobus Program
- Écocamionnage Program
- Transportez vert Program
- Public Transit Development Assistance Program
We also welcome the $573.3 million over five years to support the electrification of urban buses. Improving and electrifying public transit must be supported in a complementary, sufficient and sustainable manner.
Support for the electrification of emergency and other vehicles, the funds aimed at developing innovative products in the electric vehicle industry, and the Financial Assistance Program for the Development of Active Transportation in urban perimeters are also welcome.
Propulsion Québec also wishes to reiterate its support for the development of an upcoming ZEV standard for heavy-duty vehicles.
EIT: Strategic sectors
The cluster is very pleased to note that electric vehicles, batteries and green hydrogen are among the strategic sectors that can contribute to the economy of tomorrow.
“The electric and intelligent transportation industry offers a wide range of economic opportunities for Quebec and for decarbonizing the transportation sector. Investing in the EIT ecosystem is not only an essential lever for the ecological transition, but also a powerful engine to propel Quebec’s economy. Quebec has all the assets to contribute to this green and sustainable economy. To achieve this, predictability and improved access to capital for companies will be key,” adds Michelle LLambias Meunier.
Charging and energy efficiency
The electrification of the economy will lead to a considerable increase in the province’s energy demand that will need to be anticipated and mitigated. Technology and modal shift toward more energy-efficient modes of transport will be essential for a successful and sustainable transition. Quebec is therefore on the right track in allocating funds to energy efficiency.
The impact of transport electrification can be mitigated by smart charging infrastructure and energy consumption optimization systems. With mass electrification, it is crucial to democratize access to these technologies for all users (residential, multi-unit housing, commercial, etc.), to enhance and maintain existing incentive programs while including an energy management support component.
Thus, the continuation ofRoulez vert Program – Installation of Home Charging Stations, for multi-unit housing and workplace charging, represents a step in the right direction. The same goes for adding a support program for businesses, owners and managers of multi-unit residential buildings.
About Propulsion Québec
Quebec’s electric and intelligent transportation cluster brings together all stakeholders in the sector around coordinated projects aimed at positioning Quebec among the leaders in the development and deployment of land transport modes that promote electric and intelligent transportation. Created in 2017, Propulsion Québec now has more than 260 members from various sectors and deploys its resources across seven distinct workstreams aimed at developing and supporting innovative projects. The cluster benefits from the financial support of the Government of Quebec, the Government of Canada, the Montreal Metropolitan Community (CMM), the City of Québec, Mouvement Desjardins, Fasken, Hydro-Québec, Québecor and the CDPQ.
