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Hydro-Quebec studying electric school buses with Autobus Groupe Séguin

October 4, 2021 | By Anthony Capkun


Left to right: Simon Racicot-Daignault, InnovHQ; Janys Séguin, Autobus Groupe Séguin; Stéphane Boisvert, Autobus Groupe Séguin; Jeff Desruisseaux, InnovHQ; Janys Séguin, Autobus Groupe Séguin. Photo: CNW Group/Hydro-Québec.

October 4, 2021 – Hydro-Quebec has undertaken a pilot project with Autobus Groupe Séguin to study the electrification of school buses.

The Quebec-based, family-owned operator of school and chartered transportation ordered 60 electric school buses in early 2021.

“We will use the experience we acquire through this pilot project by sharing our reality as a school bus carrier for the benefit of our industry peers,” said Stéphane Boisvert, president, Autobus Groupe Séguin.

The pilot project includes implementing 12 charging stations with a total power of 260 kW to support the use of, initially, 10 electric school buses for the back-to-school period in September. The project will continue throughout the year, and will provide the utility with the opportunity to better understand the parameters related to operating and charging electric buses.

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“This collaborative project will help us understand the reality of operators of vehicle fleets so we can find solutions together that are tailored to their needs and activities,” said Jeff Desruisseaux of InnovHQ, a Hydro-Quebec subsidiary.

Several Quebec-based suppliers are participating in the project, including Lion Électrique, Malco Électrique and AddÉnergie. Hydro-Quebec hopes the pilot project will give various suppliers the opportunity to develop their own expertise for future projects like this.

“Hydro-Quebec is in a unique position to support carriers in the electrification of their vehicle fleets and it would like to share its expertise in the deployment and management of charging infrastructure as well as its know-how regarding energy management,” said Simon Racicot-Daignault of InnovHQ.


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