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(New York) Who would dare to claim that it is “less complicated” to close a deal in New York than in Montreal for a Quebec company?
Simon Poulin, market director at Effenco, dared, explaining how the Montreal company had succeeded in convincing the American megalopolis to adopt its hybrid electric and 100% electric solutions for the heavy vehicles of its household waste collection service.
“In Montreal, we do not have a vision of who is the boss,” he said on the sidelines of an exhibition held in a large park in the borough of Queens, New York. “Here, we know that there are three or four important players. There isn’t someone hiding behind. There is a clear vision. It’s easier to navigate. It’s long, but it’s easier. ”
Effenco is one of the Quebec companies which, in the wake of Hydro-Quebec, play an important role in the green shift in New York City. Eight of them were represented on Wednesday around the Unisphere – a remnant of the New York International Fair of 1964-1965 – where the 32e edition of the Fleet Show.
Seven years ago, Effenco took part for the first time in this exhibition bringing together suppliers of vehicles and road equipment. Today, it is ready to “electrify” 1,100 waste collection trucks in New York, a total of which will be added to the 28 already finalized.
And that might just be the start in a city with a fleet of 30,000 vehicles.
“We are the only electrical technology approved by the City,” noted Simon Poulin.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY EFFENCO
Effenco electric waste collection truck
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Proven and hoped-for success
Other Quebec companies on the spot could also claim New York successes. This was the case with Lion Électrique, a manufacturer of zero-emission medium and heavy vehicles, which notably deployed a network of electric school buses with Con Edison in White Plains, a suburb of New York.
FLO, a charging network for electric vehicles, fell into the same category. The company has already installed around 30 of the 120 stations it must supply to New York City. And she hopes to be in the game for the rest.
PHOTO DAVID BOILY, PRESS ARCHIVES
Charging stations for electric vehicles manufactured by FLO
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New York recently set a goal of having 10,000 sidewalk charging stations by 2030. We hope to install as many as possible.
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Rose Lenoff, Business Development Manager at FLO
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The success of the Montreal-American company iSun is more recent. This last May was awarded a contract for the installation of a carport covered with forty solar panels to supply the electric vehicle fleet at Rikers Island prison or the building itself.
“This is only our first installation in New York,” said Sass Peress, head of innovation and market development at iSun, of the many city departments that could use the company’s green concept. “I have appointments Thursday and Friday with the people from the parks department, because they see what is coming. ”
Also present in New York, Sabine Le Névannau, president of the Sherbrooke company GeeBee, is also in negotiations with the New York Parks and Recreation Department about her electric scooter, used by around twenty municipalities in Quebec.
“If it works, it will be our biggest contract in the United States,” she said.
A “pioneering role”
These confirmed or hoped-for successes bear witness to an “ecosystem” that allows Quebec companies to play “a pioneering role in North America”, according to Patrick Gervais, vice-president of marketing and communications at Lion Électrique.
“The Quebec delegations help us enormously throughout the United States, in New York, Chicago and California. It’s really extraordinary, ”he said.
PHOTO DAVID BOILY, PRESS ARCHIVES
Lion Electric School Bus
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As a province, we also have expertise, an ecosystem, a supply chain that is well developed. We have a lot of knowledge.
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Patrick Gervais, Vice-President of Marketing and Communications at Lion Électrique
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This ecosystem may have strengthened on Wednesday. In New York since the start of the week, which is also that of Climate Week, Benoit Charette, Minister of the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change, announced Quebec’s membership in a coalition made up of 15 states. Americans and the District of Columbia, which aims to accelerate the electrification of medium and heavy vehicles in the territory of its members.
“This is a grouping that will allow us not only to share best practices, but also to showcase the potential of Quebec companies,” said the Minister to Press.
Mr. Charette attended on Monday the announcement by the Governor of the State of New York, Kathy Hochul, of the award of the 25-year contract to Hydro-Quebec for the supply of clean energy to New York City . He has increased the number of meetings with State and City stakeholders on the green shift.
“What is fascinating, through these meetings, is the admiration they have for Quebec leadership on these issues,” he declared. “I was at the other governor’s announcement [mardi]. For 2030, in terms of the electrification of private cars, they have an objective that is lower than that of Quebec in absolute numbers. […] We have clearly taken the lead. ”
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