Burlington Hydro Chair Gary Graham pulls into Pioneer Petroleums for the Pure Electric Vehicle's 'kick-off charge'

Burlington Hydro believes “hub and spoke” fleets, like the one operated by Burlington Hydro, potentially represent the best opportunity for initial widespread use of electric vehicles.

Typically hub and spoke fleets operate from a central point and deploy vehicles within a fixed region, or geographic boundaries, with predictable usage patterns. They are therefore ideal in respect to the opportunity to centralize re-charging infrastructure.  The all-electric demonstration vehicle will join Burlington’s hub and spoke fleet for the duration of the demonstration project.

Fleets are an efficient market to focus on with a goal of making big gains toward electrification. Unlike converting private cars - which requires that purchasing decisions be made by many independent drivers, one car at a time - an individual fleet operator might operate hundreds of vehicles, meaning that one decision in favour of electric vehicles could have very big impacts.

The greening of fleets is a logical area of focus, as it could result is far more rapid deployment of electric vehicles than, for example, broad consumer markets. Large fleet operators include municipalities, utilities, courier and distribution companies, medical laboratories, etc.

Additionally, Burlington Hydro seeks to create unique expertise in the practical application of electric vehicle technologies to support its customers. Widespread adoption of all-electric vehicles can contribute to Ontario’s goal to reduce the province’s reliance on fossil fuels, both in terms of power generation and on our roads.

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Burlington Hydro Acquires Canada’s first All-Electric SUV

The REV 300 ACX is Canada’s first all-electric zero emission SUV.  This will be the first all-electric SUV to be incorporated into a working fleet in Canada.  The vehicle is the focal point of a one year study that will lead to a greater understanding of the usage characteristics of all-electric vehicles, as well as the requisite IP and fuelling infrastructure, with an emphasis on the short-haul fleet market.