In addition to the six fast-charge stations already available at L'Étape, the Electric Circuit is adding two 180kW charging stations and one 200kW station with power sharing from FreeWire Technologies, a company that uses a new technology to charge an electric vehicle up to 200kW or two electric vehicles that are connected simultaneously up to 100kW. A vehicle with a trailer can also easily connect to the new charging station.
With an integrated battery, FreeWire's Boost Charger is a versatile solution for grid management because its peak-period energy needs are close to eight times less than those of traditional charging stations. This means reduced energy demand during peak periods and less impact of EV charging on the power grid. The charging stations can therefore be easily deployed in areas where the three-phase system is not present and where it wasn't possible until now to offer more than 25kW fast charging.
The Electric Circuit is the largest public charging network for electric vehicles in Québec. It consists of more than 5,000 public charging stations, including close to 900 fast-charge stations, in every region of the province.
The L'Étape charging station now has a generator from Gal Power Systems in Saguenay. The generator will supply two 50kW charging stations and the 200kW charging station, which will help to maintain the charging service in the event of a power outage in the sector.
"L'Étape is a strategic location for EV drivers travelling between Québec City and Saguenay. In keeping with its mission to provide a reliable charging service throughout Québec, the Electric Circuit welcomes FreeWire's technology as an excellent way to improve its service while limiting the impact on the power grid,” said France Lampron, director – mobility and head of the Electric Circuit at Hydro-Québec. “What's more, adding a generator to supply certain charging stations during a power outage makes the service more robust regardless of weather conditions."
