Quebec City has announced a partnership with public electric vehicle charging network Electric Circuit.

Over the next two years, the city will install 18 level 2 (240 volt) charging stations off-street in municipal lots. The agreement with the Electric Circuit is powered by Hydro-Québec and is part of the city’s sustainable mobility plan.

“(This partnership) marks a major step in the rollout of our network,” says Pierre-Luc Desgagné, vice-president of public and government affairs at Hydro-Québec. “Not only will it allow us to improve charging availability in a region with a high concentration of electric vehicles, but it will also facilitate the Electric Circuit’s expansion eastward.”

The first 10 charging stations will be in service by the end of 2014, with eight more planned for the coming year. The charging stations will be installed in indoor and outdoor municipal parking lots, including the Monique-Corriveau Library, the Sainte-Foy Sports Centre and City Hall.

The Electric Circuit is the largest public charging network in Quebec. It consists of more than 250 level 2 charging stations and one fast-charge station. Launched in March 2012, it is a major initiative in the rollout of charging infrastructure needed to support plug-in vehicles in Quebec.