The “Propulser le Québec par l’électricité” (Propelling Quebec Froward with Electricity) plan is intended to drive the number of electric vehicles run in the province whilst also demonstrating “that the fight against climate change is a growth opportunity for the green economy of Quebec”.

Under the plans, the provincial government is looking to have 100,000 electric and hybrid vehicles on the road by 2020.

In total 35 measures have been outlined, including increasing the number of public charging stations available from 489 to 785 (of which 60 will be fast chargers), changing the Highway Safety Code to allow low-speed vehicles to be driven on public roads and to regulate the access of parking spaces for recharging electric vehicles, provide vehicles with privileged access to electric vehicle lanes where carpooling is allowed, encouraging business take-up of electric vehicles and introducing 1,000 EVs to the government car pool by 2020.

The plans would also continue the current $8,000 subsidy for people buying electric or hybrid cars.

Commenting on the plan, CAA-Quebec, an affiliate of the Canadian Automobile Association, said it was pleased with the government's desire to make Quebec a reference for the electrification of transport but added that with around 7,000 electric vehicles currently on the road, nearly 20,000 electric and hybrid vehicles will need to be sold annually by 2020.