A new partnership has developed in Quebec City to determine the efficacy of plug-in hybrids for city vehicles and taxis. This collaboration includes the Universite Laval, the Desjardins Group, Enersys and the Quebec City Council. The terms of the initial agreement between the four parties includes test operation of a hybrid electric car model on the streets of Quebec City. There is potential for the collaborators to advance to a second stage where 50 plug-in hybrid vehicles will be deployed for extended research.
Universite Laval will receive batteries, controls and transmissions from Enersys’ ModEnergy subsidiary. The researchers and scientists at the esteemed school will assess the effectiveness of these parts within the context of plug-in hybrid vehicles. The university will also conduct studies on the economic and psychological aspects of alternative fuels as part of the collaborative study.
The university’s reports will be coordinated with the work of Enersys and Desjardins Group on the technical and financial aspects of plug-in hybrid vehicles. Enersys will equip the test vehicle with premium lithium-ion battery packs that will provide power up to 70 miles per charge. The Desjardins Group is initiating studies into the cost effectiveness of hybrid vehicles for residents of Quebec City as well as the necessary financial requirements needed to make plug-in cars profitable for dealers.
The excitement surrounding this collaboration is generated by the national reputation of the participants. The Desjardins Group is Canada’s preeminent financial group and Enersys is the world’s largest supplier of industrial batteries. Universite Laval is revered in the world for its academic excellence and the history of Quebec City involves innovations in hydroelectricity and transportation.
Quebec City offers one of the best testing grounds in the world for plug-in hybrid vehicles. This collaboration will yield interesting results on the effects of extreme cold, snow and other weather issues during usage of hybrid vehicles. The winding streets of Quebec City will try the braking and suspension systems of test vehicles before commercial production in the province. The reports and results from the Quebec City collaboration will guide further development of hybrid markets in places with inclement weather throughout the world.
