Hydro-Québec has announced that 10 Mitsubishi i-MiEVs were delivered this morning to Boucherville businesses selected for the third and final phase of the largest electric vehicle (EV) trial in Canada. The project, which was launched in 2010, will continue until the end of 2013.

Hydro-Québec has been overseeing three years of road tests to rate the performance of 30 i-MiEVs. The trials are designed to study charging needs, driving habits and driver satisfaction, as well as the interaction between the cars and the electric grid. The initiative is in line with the 2011-2020 Action Plan for Electric Vehicles unveiled by the Québec government last April 7.

“The project will provide us with new first-hand information about EV drivers’ habits and recharging needs. In the next year, we will be setting up the first 400-V quick-charge station in Québec, and in conjunction with the local St-Hubert restaurant, we’ll be trying it out on a daily basis. Everyone in the demonstration project will have access to it,” said Pierre-Luc Desgagné, Hydro-Québec’s Senior Director - Strategic Planning.

“Our partnership with Hydro-Québec has given rise to a unique and exciting project that allows Hydro-Québec to test our i-MiEV in many everyday situations. The data collected will allow us to ensure our state-of-the-art electric technology is well suited for the Canadian market and help us plan community charging infrastructure,” pointed out Shin Fujioka, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada, Inc.

The i-MiEV, which stands for Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle, is based on the Japanese i-Car platform. It is an all-electric, highway-capable, charge-at-home commuter car with zero tailpipe emissions. Capable of traveling 120 km on a single charge, the i-MiEV can be recharged in 6 hours using a 240-V outlet or 13 hours using a 120-V outlet. Alternatively, a quick-charge station will replenish the battery to 80% of its capacity in just 30 minutes.