Hydrogen is gaining ground in Quebec

Montreal, Quebec, January 22, 2019 - The deployment of hydrogen is gaining ground in Quebec.

Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) and Honda Canada Inc. and hydrogen sector partners presented an update on the progress of hydrogen fuelling infrastructure for fuel cell electric vehicles at the Montreal International Auto Show.

Quebec's first hydrogen refuelling station soon to be operational

Construction of the first multi-fuel station in Quebec is progressing well. In partnership with Harnois Énergies and Hydrogenics, this station located in Quebec City will be built with the financial support of the Government of Quebec, through Transition énergétique Québec (TEQ), as well as Natural Resources Canada and Toyota.

Toyota has also provided an additional hydrogen refuelling station to ensure uninterrupted service to its Quebec customers.

"For us, what is particularly interesting is the fact that this service station will use, at the site itself, an electrolyser that will transform hydroelectricity into clean and renewable hydrogen for these vehicles," said Martin Gilbert, Director Manager, Corporate Strategy and Innovation at Toyota Canada Inc. As a world leader in hydroelectric power generation, and with these new technologies in place, Québec has everything it needs to become a key player in hydrogen production. »

Refuelling at the new Québec City station will begin in February and it is already planned that another station will be built in Montréal.

Honda Canada has also recently joined the hydrogen movement in Quebec. The manufacturer will provide financial support for the Montreal station, allowing it to offer this cutting-edge technology to more Quebecers, while facilitating the movement of hydrogen-powered vehicles between Montreal and Quebec City.

Mirai's fleet now on Quebec soil

Last year, at the Montreal International Auto Show, Toyota made a commitment to deliver 50 hydrogen electric vehicles to its first Canadian customer, the Government of Quebec.

With the first Toyota Mirai fleet to operate on Quebec's roads, Toyota becomes the first automaker to substantially deploy hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in Canada.

"We were inspired by the leadership of Quebec consumers in the rapid adoption of new clean and innovative technologies such as hybrid electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids," added Mr. Gilbert. For us, it is obvious that Quebeckers really care about the environment and climate change. And above all, that they are ready to take concrete action to make a difference. »

Additional support put in place to receive hydrogen vehicles

Toyota Canada has been very active in promoting, investing and creating partnerships to prepare the Quebec market for hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. The company has worked closely with the Government of Quebec and other partners to set up the charging infrastructure, training and service support needed for the arrival of these hydrogen electric cars.

Toyota has invested in training first responders on how these hydrogen vehicles work and best practices for handling them safely. The company also trained technicians from local dealerships and improved the service offer at the Brossard regional office to provide complete support for hydrogen electric vehicles in Quebec.

"Today, with the right partners, the right investments, the right vehicles, the right charging infrastructure and the right training, we can say that the hydrogen movement in Quebec is clearly underway," said Mr. Gilbert. Quebec motorists have access to another viable choice of clean vehicle. We can now say that hydrogen vehicles have arrived! »