Candiac – e-Scooters: The New Means of Transport for Employees

Project history and implementation

"Doing things differently is part of our DNA," say representatives of the City of Candiac. In 2022, the City launched its integrated Active and Sustainable Mobility Plan, which includes actions to reduce the impact of citizen travel and to optimize and decarbonize the municipal fleet. These actions are also in line with the City's Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Reduction Plan: the City's objective is to reduce its corporate emissions by 40% compared with the 2018 inventory, by 2030. This will be achieved through actions in two main categories: electrification of transport and energy transition of municipal buildings.

In 2021, the City of Candiac turned to IVÉO to help it reflect on employee commuting. Using their tools and experience, IVÉO helps municipalities to achieve smart electrification of their vehicle fleets. In the case of the City of Candiac, the question was whether purchasing new electric cars was the best option for moving staff in an optimal, economical and environmentally friendly way. To answer this question, a pilot project was launched to purchase three electric scooters for municipal services, rather than electric cars.

A decision that makes sense

The needs analysis revealed that the summer season involves more travel for municipal employees: there are more complaints, inspections (trees, renovations, etc.) and events (cultural, festivals, sports, etc.) during this period. With a limited budget, the city opted for the electric scooter pilot project. It made financial sense, but the city also discovered multiple advantages to this two-wheeled vehicle.

E-scooter benefits:

1. Better access to landlocked neighbourhoods via shortcuts (footbridges, parks) than via traditional routes (roads and freeways)
2. Alternative points of view during inspections
3. Easier identification of active network problems
4. Quicker intervention (easy parking)
5. Greater proximity between municipal staff and residents
6. Reduced GHG emissions
7. Municipal staff can work outdoors
8. Increased physical activity for employees
9. Possibility of transporting work tools thanks to scooters equipped with baskets.

Challenges associated with the use of electric scooters:

1. Weather (less popular on rainy days)
2. Training required to use them
3. Risk of theft
4. Management of keys and chargers (someone must be in charge)
5. Loss of keys and/or chargers (expensive to replace)
6. Charging logistics (if you forget to charge in the evening, you won't be able to use your scooter the next morning).

Finally, the City of Candiac considers its pilot project a success. Not only have the electric scooters met the city's vision, needs and commitments, but they have also generated unexpected positive benefits, such as citizens' pride in seeing the city participate in environmental efforts. In the coming years, the City of Candiac plans to add two more electric scooters.

Tips for a successful fleet electrification

Reflecting on your needs: To choose the most economical and environmentally friendly option, it's important to rethink travel according to the Reduce-Transfer-Improve Approach. This means adapting the vehicle to its intended use.

Encouraging a diversity of mobility solutions: From bicycles to vans, from scooters to light electric vehicles, a variety of mobility solutions exist to meet the needs of municipalities, enabling the use of efficient means of locomotion for each trip.

Seek support: Whether it's IVÉO, the Innovative Vehicle Institute (IVI) or other municipalities, many organizations already have experience and good advice to share.

Dare to surprise: A pilot project can be a good way to test new practices. Like Candiac, you may be surprised by the benefits of your project.