SAINT-JEROME– Prime Minister Pauline Marois and the Natural Resources Minister, Martine  Ouellet, stopped by Lion Bus of Saint-Jerome, Quebec, to announce a new investment of $675,000 to develop an electric school bus prototype made in Quebec. This investment is part of the Employment Economic Political Priority as well as an electric transportation strategy, with no less than $516 million injected by Quebec. << Our government wants to make Quebec the world leader in the electrification of our transports [...] our objective is to develop our economy using less petroleum and more electricity>>,  explained Mrs. Marois. Quebec currently consumes $14 billion in gas. The development  project, lead by Lion Bus, will amount to $1 million in investment. In fact, in addition to Quebec’s contribution, research partners, including Lion Bus, B3CG Interconnect, Dana TM4 and the Advanced National Transportation Center (CNTA) of Saint- Jerome, are investing a combined $350,000. <>, emphasized Minister Martine Ouellet.

 

 

For Marc Bedard, Lion Bus’ President, this announcement is extremely positive and shows  strong signs of confidence. << Since the start of the firm in 2008, it has been our priority to develop a vehicle that would stand out. We wanted the most energy efficient bus possible and his project is materializing itself today>>, pointed out Mr. Bedard. And this project is  advanced; the feasibility study was already completed and the prototype will be revealed next spring. <>, explained Mr. Bedard. According to him, an all-electric bus could cost twice as much as the traditional  bus, but a subsidy at purchase may be available.

 

 

According to CNTA’s director, Sylvain Castonguay, electric technology is particularly well  suited for the school transportation schedule, with an autonomy of 90 km. << The electric motor will be recharged during lunch break>>, clarified Mr. Castonguay. However, in  addition to the cost of the vehicle, we will have to find a way to diminish the charging  station’s cost. <>, stated the engineer and director.

 

©School bus fleet, november 2013