"The Electric Circuit" - First Request for Proposals to Supply Public Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles

MONTREAL, Aug. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - On behalf of "The Electric Circuit" partners - RONA, Les Rôtisseries St-Hubert, METRO and the Agence métropolitaine de transport (AMT) -, Hydro-Québec is launching the first open request for proposals to supply 120 public charging stations for plug-in electric vehicles.

Supplied with clean, renewable energy, the charging stations will be operational in early 2012 at the partners' business sites and at several AMT park-and-ride facilities. Electric vehicle drivers will thus have the peace of mind, knowing that a public network of charging stations is available when needed.

Suppliers of this technology interested in submitting a bid are invited to do so by August 30, 2011. To consult the request for proposals, go to http://www.hydroquebec.com/soumissionnez/data/lst1.htm. Bids will be evaluated based on several criteria and requirements, including the price and quality of the proposed technology as well as the Québec content. The successful bidder will be announced before the end of 2011.

Charging stations must be certified for use in Canada before the contract is awarded. They will also be tested in a climate-control chamber at Hydro-Québec's research institute to make sure they can withstand the rigors of Québec weather.

Launched this past June 16, "The Electric Circuit" is Canada's first public charging network for plug-in electric vehicles.

This initiative marks the first stage in the development of the charging infrastructure required to support the operation of plug-in electric vehicles in Québec. It also follows the Action Plan for Electric Vehicles unveiled by the Québec government last April 7.

For more information on Hydro-Québec's transportation electrification projects, visit www.hydroquebec.com/transportation-electrification.

SOURCE HYDRO-QUEBEC