Aéroports de Montréal’s Rendez-vous branché: promoting electric mobility to the West Island workforce and stakeholders

Aéroports de Montréal’s Rendez-vous branché:
promoting electric mobility to the West Island workforce and stakeholders

Montréal, June 14, 2018 – Aéroports de Montréal (ADM), in partnership with Équiterre and The West Island of Montreal Chamber of Commerce (WIMCC), gave airport employees and members of the WIMCC the opportunity to test drive electric vehicles as part of the Rendez-vous branché event held at Montréal-Trudeau on June 13th. This event is part of a broader program to support efforts by organizations to promote electric transportation and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

In addition to on-site road tests, the activity allowed participants to meet subject-matter experts to debunk myths and prevailing beliefs. Thanks to the participation of dealers in the region, and to Montréal Auto Prix, 10 vehicle models were made available for about a hundred people to have the electric experience firsthand. Also, it was possible to test electric bikes offered by Vélo Transit and learn about the various sustainable mobility solutions available to employees through the presence of the MOBA (Mobilité alternative), Travel Management Center (CGD).

A range of initiatives to support and accelerate the electric shift

“ADM has always positioned itself as a leader in the promotion of sustainable mobility and the electrification of transport,” said Joanne Bergeron, ADM’s Vice President of Sustainable Development. “Our Écono-Écolo-Pratique program encourages our employees to use alternative modes of transportation other than single cars, such as carpooling or public transit. Today, by allowing them to test drive electric vehicles or bicycles, we are going even further to spark their interest in options that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

According to Steven Guilbeault, Senior Director of Équiterre: “The electric car fleet is growing in Québec but still remains marginal, accounting for 2.2% of vehicle sales compared to sales of gasoline vehicles. To accelerate the electric shift, the efforts of large organizations are essential to raise awareness on this issue, to implement measures to electrify vehicle fleets, and encourage a change in employee and customer habits by offering charging stations, financial incentives, etc.”

In recent months, ADM has implemented various actions related to GHG reduction and sustainable mobility. These include:“The West Island of Montreal Chamber of Commerce (WIMCC) is proud to be associated with this event, which is part of its vision to encourage companies to stand out in terms of sustainable development, including through our annual Accolades competition,” says Joseph Huza, President and Executive Director of the WIMCC. “We also want to thank the dealers in the region whose contribution was essential to the success of this activity.”

– The installation of 52 charging stations for all airport customers and employees;

– The addition of five light electric vehicles;

– An F150 vehicle converted into an electric vehicle by Eco tuned Automobile;

– The taxi fleet is now composed of 70% hybrid vehicles, resulting in a reduction of nearly 8,700 tonnes of CO2, equivalent to removing 2,630 cars from the road;

– The acquisition of an electric bus for transporting passengers between aircraft and the terminal;

– And several other transportation measures to encourage the use of collective and active modes of transportation as well as carpooling.

 The Rendez-vous branché events are made possible by the support of the Government of Québec, official sponsor of Rendez-vous branché as part of Action-Climat Québec, a program financed by the Green Fund and stemming from the 2013-2020 Action Plan on Climate Change.

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For more information or for an interview:

Mélanie DesRosiers
Events Coordinator
mdesrosiers@ccoim.ca
514-697-4228 x 5502