MONTREAL — Setting a goal of going 100% electric, Quebecor announced Wednesday it is launching an action plan to step up the electrification of its vehicle fleet in order to fight climate change.
Quebecor says its transportation electrification plan will eventually extend to almost all of its 1,100 vehicles, which already include nearly 30 electric cars. The plan entails purchasing electric cars and converting light trucks from internal combustion to electric engines, using Québec technology developed by Ecotuned Automobile, the company explained in the news release.
“Business has an important role to play in tackling climate change,” said Pierre Karl Péladeau, president and CEO of Quebecor, in the news release. “Quebecor has always been a pioneer in its fields of activity and in many social spheres. Today, we are proud to expand our commitment by participating in Québec’s energy transition to a sustainable economy. This process will guarantee responsible management of Quebecor’s fleets: among other things, it will increase the useful life of our light trucks and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by switching to hydroelectricity, one of Québec’s greatest collective natural assets.”
Quebecor’s action plan will initially focus on accelerating the electrification of Videotron’s 900-odd vehicles. Between now and 2024, more than $14 million will be needed to assure a transition of nearly 200 Videotron vehicles, purchase electric charging stations and upgrade infrastructure. Achieving the 100% electric goal will reduce Quebecor’s greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50%, the equivalent of 85,000 one-way trips by plane from Montreal to Toronto for one person, Quebecor says.
For its part, Quebecor broadcaster TVA Group plans to electrify nearly 60 mass-market vehicles, including those operated by TVA Nouvelles, within five years. It is also aiming to reduce the number of such vehicles by 10% while maintaining the quality of news coverage across Québec. This plan will require spending of more than $3.5 million, Quebecor says.
“Over the past several years, TVA has implemented a number of green measures and has taken concrete steps to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions; for example, the Rolling Green program is cutting the emissions produced by our soundstages,” said France Lauzière, president and CEO of TVA Group and chief content officer of Quebecor Content.
Péladeau added: “The ambitious target we have set with our electrification plan demonstrates our determination to remain at the cutting edge. The other Quebecor subsidiaries that operate vehicle fleets will also be an integral part of this electrification plan in the subsequent phases.”
Also on Wednesday, Quebecor announced that it is becoming a member of Propulsion Québec, Québec’s smart and electric transportation cluster.
“Propulsion Québec is proud to count Quebecor, a leading-edge company that has long had exemplary environmental practices, among its members,” said Sarah Houde, CEO of Propulsion Québec, in the news release. “Today, Quebecor confirmed its status as a leader in sustainable development in Québec and Canada. Electrifying transportation at the fleet level has a concrete impact on our collective carbon footprint. Propulsion Québec welcomes this commitment and hopes it will inspire many other businesses here and elsewhere.”
Photo of the announcement borrowed from PK Peladeau’s Instagram.
