Prevost: Every Little Bit Counts

Project history

Since 2018, the City of Prevost has embarked on a project to electrify its municipal fleet. Today, more than 50% of its light vehicles are electric. This transition has saved 18.7 tons of GHGs with some 102,600 km driven to date. Through a partnership with the NPO IVÉO, the City is one of many municipalities participating in SAUVéR, an initiative that allows citizens to car-share electric vehicles (EVs) from the municipal fleet.

Prevost residents have access to a converted electric van and an electric car on evenings and weekends when municipal vehicles are not being used by staff. The platform provided as part of the program allows users to easily book a vehicle. This platform is now even used by city staff to facilitate vehicle management, with the ability to view vehicle usage and book time slots.

Mayor Paul Germain says the electric car-sharing van could be a real game-changer. "We tend to buy cars that are too big for our needs," he says. Having a van available – and one that is electric – could allow citizens to opt for smaller vehicles.

Other electrification initiatives

In Prévost, the list of electrification projects is long. The municipality was one of the first in Quebec to provide a $100 subsidy to citizens who purchased a charging station. "It was a good initiative, but the impact was limited," says Mayor Germain. This year, the city has decided to replace this program with a $100 grant for the purchase of an electric lawnmower. Using a gas-powered lawn mower for one hour is equivalent to driving 482 km in a conventional car in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. This type of initiative can therefore have a real and immediate impact on emissions.

Electric scooters are also available to the public. By taking the Le P'tit Train du Nord linear park, for example, a user can safely get to Saint-Jérôme in less than 25 minutes.

This electric vehicle owned by the City of Prevost is available to citizens on evenings and weekends.

Credit : City of Prévost

Tips for a successful fleet electrification

The city shares the steps it believes should be taken for successful electrification.

1. Dare to do it. Such a project requires will and courage.
2. Be intelligent and responsible. Properly assess your needs and vehicle usage to acquire the right type of vehicle.
3. Believe in change. Citizens want their city to show leadership. We hear a lot about the naysayers, but attitudes are changing, and the silent majority is hungry for change. If people are educated and made aware of the relevance of EVs, the community will support electrification projects.