The US Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded $20 million to hydrogen fuel cell projects. The projects are working toward the advancement of fuel cell technology and encouraging the adoption of fuel cell vehicles. The DOE also released its “Fuel Cell Technologies Market Report 2014,” which finds that the fuel cell industry is growing impressively, with $2.2 billion in sales last year. The study also states that nearly 10 percent of Fortune 500 companies use fuel cells to generate stationary or mobile power. Read more from the DOE, and at Green Car Congress.
Québec has created an Action Plan for electric transport through 2020. The plan, worth C$420 million (about $324 million in US dollars), aims to increase the number of electric vehicles, reduce emissions and energy dependence and stimulate the local economy. Minister of Transport Robert Poëti has set a goal of 100,000 registered electrified vehicles in Québec by 2020. Read more at Green Car Congress, or in the Google-translated press release below.
The Quebec Government Unveils New Action Plan 2015-2020 electrification of transport
Montreal, October 9th, 2015 – The Premier of Québec, Philippe Couillard, accompanied by Minister of Transport and Minister responsible for the Montreal region, Robert Poëti, the Minister of Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Northern Plan, Pierre Arcand, Minister of Economy, Innovation and Exports, Jacques Daoust, and the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and the Fight against Climate Change, David Heurtel, today unveiled the new Action Plan electrification of transport in 2015-2020.
“With this new mobilizing action plan, structured and ambitious, we are giving ourselves the tools to take advantage of the technological and economic potential of Quebec, while contributing to the fight against climate change. The plan thus demonstrates that the fight against climate change is a growth opportunity for the green economy of Quebec, and that the benefit of the entire population and of future generations. I invite all Quebecers and all Quebecers to join the movement. Building on the availability of our collective wealth that is hydroelectricity, a clean and renewable energy, and building on our expertise, we will do all of Quebec a world leader in the use of means transport powered by electricity, “said Mr. Couillard.
Ambitious goals
Recall that the leading on electric vehicles was initiated in 2011 by Premier Jean Charest. Premier Pauline Marois continued in this direction. Today, the Action Plan 2015-2020 electrification of transport has a more than $ 420 million budget and has the following objectives:
– increase the number of electric vehicles in the car park of Quebec;
– participate in the fight against climate change, notably by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases;
– reduce energy dependence on oil and improve the trade balance of Quebec;
– contribute to Québec’s economic development by focusing on a future industry and using the electrical energy available in Quebec.
“Specifically, we want with this action plan, to achieve by 2020 the number of 100,000 rechargeable electric and hybrid vehicles registered in Quebec and 150 000 tonnes reduce emissions of transport-related greenhouse gas and 66 million people annually consumed liters of fuel in Quebec. We also intend to generate 5,000 jobs and investment of $ 500 million. With this concrete plan, we want to create an enabling environment for achieving these ambitious objectives conducive to propel Quebec in the future by electricity, “said the Minister of Transport.
“Closely linked to the future energy policy, to be launched by the end of the year, this action plan is a perfect example of what our government wants to accomplish in the field of electric transportation. True to our vision of development, this plan encourages not only the expansion of the electric transportation industry, but shows that we can initiate a real decarbonisation of transport, while fostering innovation, creating jobs and generating the wealth, “said Minister Pierre Arcand.
“Quebec has a strong industrial base and natural resources required to implement a real electric transportation industry. Besides being economically beneficial, transportation electrification represents an exceptional showcase to promote the know-how, the capacity to innovate and the Quebec potential. So we focus on this new plan of action for Quebec to take full advantage of the many opportunities available to them as part of this major project, “said Minister Jacques Daoust.
