Lion and Quebec Government Working to Accelerate Electrification of Heavy Transport

Nov 27, 2019

The Lion Electric, its partners, and the Quebec Government are launching a major project to integrate equipment and technology into all-electric heavy vehicles. The estimated $15.8 million project, to which the government is contributing $7.9 million, will allow the development, in Quebec, of the only heavy electric specialty vehicles perfectly integrated to date. The project will lead to the manufacture in Quebec of a new generation of all-electric ambulances and various types of specialty urban vehicles, including refuse trucks and bucket trucks. The mobilization of seven industry partners marks the birth of a genuine movement toward electric trucking in Quebec’s urban centres and an industry that will generate substantial economic benefits and contribute to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Owing to a brand of expertise that is unique in North America, Saint-Jérôme-based Lion designs and assembles all of the components of urban trucks in classes 5 to 8, as well as the all-electric minibus whose chassis and electric powertrain will serve as a platform to accommodate the various applications. In their respective fields of expertise, the partner companies will work to develop, manufacture and integrate specialized equipment and technologies on Lion electric vehicles.

The government’s contribution to the project gives significant impetus to the industry’s research and development efforts to accelerate growth and further integrate the electric road transport sector into the markets.

With the use of heavy gasoline-powered vehicles being responsible for nearly 50% of urban motor traffic and generating substantial volumes of GHGs and noise pollution, it is imperative that the electric road transport sector accelerate its growth and develop sustainable solutions that are compatible with urban spaces.

Ultimately, the announced investments will make it possible to produce all-electric heavy-duty vehicles in Québec, with an 80% reduction in energy costs, a 60% reduction in maintenance costs and 100% more environmentally friendly footprint than the combustion vehicles currently in use in our cities.

At a glance

• The collaborative project being launched by the partners is estimated at $15.8 million, which includes $7.9 millionfrom the Government of Quebec;
• Seven partners have committed to the project: The Lion Electric Co., Demers Ambulances, Posi-Plus Technologies, TRANSIT Truck Bodies, Boivin Evolution, PRAN System and MAXIMETAL;
• The project will open the door to the Quebec-based manufacture of a variety of all-electric urban trucks and vehicles: dry cargo or refrigerated freight trucks, mobile workshop trucks, bucket trucks, refuse trucks and ambulances;
• The all-electric Lion urban truck, which will be equipped with specialty equipment, is entirely designed and made in Quebec and boasts a 400-kilometre range;
• The all-electric Lion minibus will be the basis for a new generation of ambulances with technological enhancements and emphasis on patient comfort;
• By contributing to the electrification of transport, this project – which will revolutionize the use of heavy vehicles in urban centres – plays a crucial role in Quebec’s energy transition.

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