Gatineau’s fleet electrification lacks a spark

Gatineau’s mayor announced the electrification of its fleet of light vehicles with great fanfare some time ago. To date, the city hasn’t purchased a single electric vehicle.

“An opportunity and feasibility analysis has been carried out; it proposes a gradual change over five years. By 2021, 33 vehicles with charging-infrastructure should be on city streets. According to this analysis, the entire municipal fleet will be converted, with the exception of (136) police vehicles,” reported a city spokesperson.

In council’s 2014-2017 programme, titled “An active, healthy, green city”, the city is to electrify its fleet. Before purchasing a large number of vehicles, the city must set up charging infrastructure and equipment, which is costly. One high-speed charging station costs roughly $20,000.

This year the city will spend $111,000 to set up infrastructure at two sites, 100 Edmonton Street in Hull and 476 St-Réné East in the Gatineau sector.

The city will purchase more vehicles and set up the infrastructure in municipal garages in Hull and Gatineau, but not in Aylmer.

Mike Duggan, Lucerne councillor and electric vehicle advocate, continues to hammer home that the electrification of the city’s light fleet vehicles is important.

“As we renew our fleet, I remind the administration that, according to our policy on acquiring new vehicles, staff must, for every purchase, compare it to the availability of an electric version. When they realize the amount saved in fuel and maintenance, they will see electric cars are superior (to  gas-powered vehicles). The city’s intention is to buy electric cars for the small fleet (used by parking by-law officers, for example),” Duggan told the Bulletin.