Pierre-Luc Desgagné, Senior Director, Strategic Planning and Government Affairs, Hydro-Québec

Montreal, Canada --- (METERING.COM) --- December 21, 2010 - Hydro-Québec and Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada Inc. have launched an electric vehicle trial with the arrival of the first five all-electric i-MiEVs in Boucherville.

The vehicles are currently being prepared for their new drivers. Once installation of the data logging equipment that will be used during the trials is complete, Boucherville Mayor, Jean Martel, and employees from the City of Boucherville, the Centre de santé et de services sociaux Pierre-Boucher and Hydro-Québec will be able to pick up the test vehicles, just in time for the holidays.

Hydro-Québec will be leading the road tests that aim to evaluate the performance of up to 50 all-electric Mitsubishi i-MiEVs under a variety of circumstances, notably winter conditions. The project is designed to study the users’ charging habits, driving experience and overall satisfaction, as well as the vehicle behavior when interfaced with the electric grid.
 
“We are delighted to be at the heart of the largest electric vehicle trial in Canada,” stated Pierre-Luc Desgagné, senior director, Strategic Planning and Government Affairs with Hydro-Québec. “Data collected during the tests will help Hydro-Québec plan the future electric vehicle public charging infrastructure which is one of our priorities.”
 
The Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle (i-MiEV) is an all electric vehicle featuring 16 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a small eco-energetic electric motor as well as a three-way charging system. Capable of travelling 120 km on a single charge, the i-MiEV can be recharged in 6 hours using 240 V outlet, 13 hours using 120 V outlet or a quick charge station to provide an 80 percent charge within approximately 30 minutes.
 
Already sold in Japan, the i-MiEV will be introduced on the Canadian market at the end of 2011.