Enhancing Urban Electric Vehicle Charging: FLO Announces Extensive Curbside Infrastructure Projects in Canadian Cities

QUEBEC CITY, April 26, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - FLO is proud to be leading a large-scale demonstration and installation of curbside charging infrastructure in Canadian cities. This innovative project will address crucial needs for electric vehicle (EV) drivers living in urban areas, will benefit local businesses and significantly advance the country's existing charging infrastructure.

Funding for the project is provided by Natural Resources Canada through the Energy Innovation Program's Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Demonstrations component, and by participating cities and electric utilities. FLO is providing infrastructure and operation services, as well as consulting on installation.

FLO, via its parent company AddEnergie, has extensive experience designing and operating urban curbside charging stations. Over the last few years, AddEnergie has provided hundreds of stations in Montreal, Quebec, as the exclusive partner of Hydro-Québec (via the Electric Circuit) and the City of Montréal.

"Expanded urban charging station installation is a key step to support the fast-growing adoption of electric vehicles in Canada. Our experience enables us to address the operational and logistical complexities of such projects. We look forward to playing a leading role coordinating with municipal stakeholders to execute the installations," said Louis Tremblay, President and CEO of FLO and AddEnergie.

"This project will create jobs, develop an internationally marketable technology, and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, by making it easier for more Canadians to drive electric vehicles," said the Honourable Jim Carr, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources Canada. "These innovative charging stations are emblematic of our Government's commitment to clean technology.  We believe that growing our economy goes hand in hand with protecting our environment." 

Natural Resources Canada contributed $6.7 million to this initiative.

This project responds to one of the greatest challenges for EV drivers: sufficient access to street parking at charging stations in densely populated cities. Implementing this specialized infrastructure future-proofs cities and boosts the local economy, as drivers shop while their EV charges.

Through the project, FLO will be implementing 100 new urban charging station spaces. Manufactured by AddEnergie, these charging stations are specially designed for curbside installation on city streets and can charge two EVs at once. Their sleek and slender design blends in with urban environments while being easy to locate from a distance. They are equipped with a clever retractable cable management system, and the sturdy aluminum casing withstands harsh weather conditions, corrosion and vandalism.

Installations have been completed in Vancouver, British Columbia. The remaining stations will be installed over time by March 31, 2019.  

Participating cities

• London, Ontario
• Kitchener, Ontario
• Waterloo, Ontario
• Cambridge, Ontario
• Edmonton, Alberta
• Vancouver, British Columbia
• Surrey, British Columbia

About FLO
FLO is Canada's largest electric vehicle (EV) charging network. We operate a comprehensive charging ecosystem that fulfills EV drivers' needs wherever they may be?at home, at work or on the go?by ensuring a consistently simple and seamless experience. FLO offers smart home charging solutions for both single-family houses and multi-unit residential buildings, as well as access to thousands of public charging stations across the country. FLO also provides turnkey solutions to property managers, business owners, employers and municipal administrators who wish to support EV adoption by supplying charging services. FLO is a subsidiary company of AddEnergie, a North American leader in electric vehicle charging solutions.

For more information, visit www.flo.ca

SOURCE FLO