Reducing GHG in transportation

In Québec, 43% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions stem from transportation, which includes road, air, sea, rail and off-road sources. Road transportation alone is the largest source, accounting for 34% of total GHG emissions. Transportation also contributes to air pollution

To reduce emissions from transportation, we must, where possible:

• Reduce travel distances and motorized trips, by designing our cities and towns accomplish this, while ensuring that we provide different types of transportation;
• Utilize, as much as possible, active   (walking, biking) and collective means of transportation (bus, metro, ride-sharing and carpooling);
• Choose smaller vehicles that consume little or no fossil fuels.

Getting around using other than gasoline-powered cars can be a challenge. To encourage the use of alternative modes of transportation, the Gouvernement du Québec has created the Programme d’aide aux nouvelles mobilités  that funds sustainable mobility projects based on digital technologies such as car-pool friendly apps.:, GPS tracking to assess the need for and use of e-bikes.

The Programme d’aide financière au développement des transports actifs dans les périmètres urbains  provides funding to municipalities to develop safer pedestrian and biking networks.

Another way to reduce GHGs is to electrify transportation by electric cars powered by renewable energy such as hydroelectric or solar power.

To ensure that the population of Québec has easier access to acquire electric vehicles, the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) standard has been introduced by the government. This standard obliges automobile manufacturers to offer more electric vehicle models in the Québec marketplace. The requirements of the standard become stricter every year. By 2035, selling new light-duty gasoline vehicles will even be prohibited in the province.

In addition, individuals and businesses can get financial assistance through the Roulez vert program for the acquisition of new or used electric vehicles and for the installation of charging stations.

Owners of vehicle fleets can also take advantage of government financial support to electrify their fleets through programs such as Ecocamionnage ,  Ecobus  and Transportez vert .

To reduce Québec’s GHG emissions, the government also support the electrification of heavy vehicle fleets. This is especially true of urban buses, which will be 55% electrified province-wide by 2030. The same applies to school buses. By 2030, 65% of school bus fleets will be required to be electric. Right now in Québec, owners of school buses are obliged to choose electric models when purchasing new equipment. Ambulances and other vehicles that transport individuals will also rely more and more on electric power in the coming years.

New infrastructure, such as the network of public charging stations , is also essential to meet the growing needs of Québec’s electromobilists. The government is working on a structured supply of charging stations, and a financial assistance program for the rollout of public fast-charging stations is already available .

Lastly, starting in 2023, the gradual introduction of renewables in gasoline and diesel fuel and green hydrogen will also help reduce the consumption of fossil fuels in the transportation sector in Québec.

Several transportation-related projects, including electrification initiatives, are under way in Québec. The government is funding numerous initiatives to combat climate change. Below are some examples.

Relying on all-electric school buses

Autobus Transco and Autobus Chambly are purchasing several all-electric school buses. This change of direction will considerably reduce GHG emissions in the territory of the school service centres concerned.

Reducing GHG emissions from waste collection

Boivin Évolution is designing and manufacturing 100% electric automated waste collection bins  . In addition to reducing garbage truck GHG emissions, this innovative technology is helping to reduce vehicle energy consumption increase load capacity.

Manufacturing zero-emission buses and trucks

Lion Électrique manufactures all-electric heavy-duty vehicles. The company designs and manufactures commercial urban trucks, buses, and minibuses for school transportation. Lion is a North American leader in the electrification of transportation field.

Learning to drive an electric car

The e‑roule pilot project   of the Fondation d’éducation en sécurité routière  enables apprentice drivers to take their road driving lessons on all-electric cars. This initiative will reduce driving school GHG emissions and afford a new generation of drivers an opportunity to discover the advantages of zero-emission vehicles.

Electrifying inter-city buses

Prévost is developing a new all-electric bus and a system for converting diesel buses to electric propulsion. In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the project will create 115 new jobs in Québec by 2026 and consolidate 650 others.

Sharing vehicles to reduce GHG emissions

The project of Montréal’s Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough seeks to enable residents to share their automobiles and bicycles  and reduce single occupancy vehicle use. The project will also enable the extension and enhancement of bike paths.

Stimulating bicycle culture by supporting cycling infrastructure

Mouvement Vélosympathique  encourages organizations to support biking for daily travel needs. Safe bicycle paths and more bike stands can spur the citizenry to opt for cycling instead of motor cars when moving around.

Electrifying low-speed trucks

Kargo is a Québec low-speed electric truck specialist that offers an alternative to polluting vehicles used in the industrial, recreational tourism and institutional sectors. Kargo electric vehicles can be used for multiple purposes, including plant logistics, green space maintenance and short‑distance parcel delivery.