Electric Circuit Public Charging Stations Installed in Parking Lots at Québec Casinos

MONTREAL, March 4, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - The founding partners of the Electric Circuit—Les Rôtisseries St-Hubert, RONA, Metro, the Agence métropolitaine de transport (AMT) and Hydro-Québec—are pleased to confirm that a partnership agreement has been signed with the Société des casinos du Québec to install four public charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs). Already, a first one is up and running at Casino de Charlevoix, thanks to a partnership with the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu. Starting this spring, visitors to the casinos in Montreal and Lac-Leamy will also be able to fill up on clean, renewable energy at a station at each of those locations. The feasibility of making a plug-in station available at the Casino de Mont-Tremblant will also be examined.

The Société des Casinos brings the constantly growing number of Electric Circuit partners to 28.

"Installation of these public charging stations in casino parking lots is in line with our sustainability and social commitment initiatives," said Louise Dostie, Director of Communications and Social Responsibility at the Société des casinos du Québec.

"With the Société des casinos du Québec as a new partner, the Electric Circuit is expanding in the most popular regions of Québec to serve a greater number of EV drivers with a variety of charging needs," said Pierre-Luc Desgagné, Hydro-Québec's Senior Director - Strategic Planning, on behalf of the Electric Circuit's founding partners. Québec's casinos, known internationally for their sites, architecture and excellent service, are an exceptional showcase for the Electric Circuit. We are really very pleased that this new partner has joined us."

The Electric Circuit
The Electric Circuit is a major milestone in the development of the charging infrastructure needed to support the arrival of plug-in electric vehicles in Québec.

The Electric Circuit offers nearly one hundred fifty 240-V charging stations in parking lots of the AMT, as well as those of many RONA hardware stores, Metro grocery stores and St-Hubert Restaurants throughout Québec. Since its launch on March 30, 2012, 23 private and institutional partners have joined the Electric Circuit. It will continue to expand in order to offer greater geographical coverage and serve more EV drivers in several regions of Québec.

While EV owners do most of their charging at home and at work, drivers can travel worry-free, knowing they can top up their batteries on the road if they need to. Electric Circuit users also have access to a 24/7 telephone help line run by CAA-Québec, as well as a charging station locator service. The Electric Circuit Web site, www.theelectriccircuit.com, is updated as new stations are installed or commissioned.

About the Société des casinos du Québec
The mission of the Société des casinos du Québec, a subsidiary of Loto-Québec, is to operate and develop Québec's casinos. Over 5,000 employees work to give customers an experience that's "all play". With its casinos in Montréal, Charlevoix, Lac-Leamy and Mont-Tremblant, it is also a major force in promoting tourism in four regions of Québec.

SOURCE: Electric Circuit

For further information:

Nathalie Vachon
Hydro-Québec, for the Electric Circuit
514 289-2441
[e-mail]

Jean-Pierre Roy
Loto-Québec
514 499-5151
[e-mail]