Study on electric and smart transportation: vision is required to create an environment conducive to innovation to position local companies as leaders

MONTRÉAL, May 6, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - The Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal and Propulsion Québec, the cluster for electric and smart transportation, today released their study entitled Positioning Quebec and Montréal as leaders in electric and smart transportation. The study is meant to fuel much-needed reflection that will enable Quebec and Montréal to stand out in this economic sector of the future.

"The electric and smart transportation niche has incredible economic and technological potential, and the city has a unique opportunity to take its place in that niche," said Michel Leblanc, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal. "We have everything we need to make our presence felt: a critical core of technology talent and businesses, a concentration of global leaders in artificial intelligence, and, of course, world-renowned creativity. The Chamber is proud to release this study, which is a starting point for this essential reflection process. We encourage industry decision makers and actors to read it. We all need to adopt the avenues for action it identifies to enable local businesses to develop the mobility innovations and solutions of tomorrow."

"The future of mobility is connected, autonomous, shared, electric vehicles," said Sarah Houde, CEO of Propulsion Québec. "This study shows that Quebec has assets to distinguish itself in these niches. We need to leverage Quebec's recognized expertise in electrification and the pool of innovative businesses in land transportation. But our success in this changing sector requires an agile regulatory framework, adapted to both the current technological context and our ambitions. The study provides an analytical tool for the best ways to support the deployment and commercialization of transportation innovations. Propulsion Québec is determined to bring together industry stakeholders to make Quebec the ultimate place to develop, test and implement new mobility technology."

"The rapid rate of change in the field of transportation here and around the world requires a paradigm shift at every level to make room for innovation and ingenuity," said Marc Blanchet, vice-president, Southwest Quebec, at SNC-Lavalin. "We support this study that speaks to all actors and offers areas of focus to accelerate innovation and provide momentum to Quebec's electric and smart mobility industry."

The study Positioning Quebec and Montréal as leaders in electric and smart transportation has four main chapters:

1. A diagnosis of the regulatory framework of Quebec.
2. A benchmark of international best practices based on an analysis of the regulatory framework and public policy from ten territories.
3. A summary of success factors drawn from international benchmarking to identify areas of excellence and avenues for improvement for Quebec.
4. Avenues for recommendation for Quebec and Greater Montréal, structured around three strategic areas:  
1. Strategic focus 1: Increase the offer of electric and smart mobility products and services developed in Quebec
2. Strategic focus 2: Increase demand for electric and smart transportation
3. Strategic focus 3: Ensure the growth of the transportation industry by optimizing and coordinating government strategies

To consult the entire study and its highlights, visit ccmm.ca/etude_transports_electriques (in French only).

About the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal (CCMM)
With a network of over 7,000 members, the CCMM is active on two fronts: being the voice of the Montréal business community and delivering specialized services to businesses and their representatives. With its finger on the pulse of current events, it acts on issues that are decisive for the prosperity of the city's businesses. With the support of the Acclr experts, the CCMM's goal is to accelerate the creation and growth of businesses of all sizes, at home and around the world.

About Propulsion Québec
Quebec's smart and electric transportation cluster rallies the sector around joint projects aimed at positioning Quebec as a leader in developing and implementing land transportation systems that promote smart and electric transportation. Created in 2017, Propulsion Québec has over 100 members from a variety of sectors and deploys its resources across seven distinct working groups to develop and support innovative projects. The cluster receives financial support from the Government of Québec, the Government of Canada and Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM).

About the study
Positioning Quebec and Montréal as leaders in electric and smart transportation is a study by the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal and Propulsion Québec, the cluster for electric and smart transportation, conducted with the support of the Government of Quebec, in partnership with Hydro-Québec and SNC-Lavalin and in cooperation with Bombardier Transportation and Keolis Canada.

SOURCE Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal