March 2010

Shaking hands after announcing the largest electric vehicle trials in Canada are Kogi Soga of Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada and Hydro-Québec CEO Thierry Vandal (right). See story below.

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Hydro-Québec and Mitsubishi Plan EV Trial

Hydro-Québec and Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada Inc. have signed a memorandum of understanding that will lead to the launch of Canada's largest all-electric vehicle pilot project this fall.

In collaboration with the City of Boucherville, Hydro-Québec will test the performance of as many as 50 Mitsubishi i-MiEVs on the road under a variety of circumstances, notably winter conditions. The project, which is evaluated at $4.5 million, is the first of its kind to include the participation of a car manufacturer, a public utility, a municipality and local businesses that will integrate the vehicles into their existing fleets. The trial is designed to study the vehicles' charging behavior, the driving experience and overall driver satisfaction.

"This new pilot project is part of our action plan for the electrification of vehicles," notes Thierry Vandal, Hydro-Québec's president and CEO. "It will allow us to advance our knowledge of the technology and its integration into our grid, which in turn, will help us plan the necessary charging infrastructure for homes, offices and public places."

Exide Opens New Global Technology Center

In late January, Exide Technologies, a global leader in stored electrical-energy solutions, opened its new Global Technology Center at the company's Milton, Georgia world headquarters.

The 20,000 square-foot technology center, an important part of the company's global research, development and engineering organization, is one of three new or upgraded engineering centers dedicated to development of various forms of stored energy.

The new technology center includes analytical, electronics and prototype battery laboratories, world-class instrument rooms as well as a garage for hybrid electric vehicle product development — an environment that enables advanced R&D surrounding emerging applications for stored electrical energy.

In addition to building and enhancing its R&D centers, the company has added 60 science and engineering professionals, 40 positions in Milton alone in process control, design, metals, carbons, ceramics, polymers and other disiplines.

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