A new Plug-in Fleet project is underway. Our team is currently focusing on the heavy Equipment sector. Click here to learn more.
Project
Plug-in Fleet – Heavy Duty Trucks
The project overview
Implemented between 2021 and 2024, this national project aimed to provide freight transport owners and operators with the necessary tools to facilitate the introduction of electric heavy duty vehicles in Quebec. The project was carried out with financial support from the Government of Quebec under the Action-Climat Québec program and aligned with the objectives of the 2030 Plan for a Green Economy.
The project concluded in December 2024. Aware that road freight transport significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, IVI supported over 100 companies to encourage their engagement at a time when the supply of electric heavy trucks was just beginning to emerge in Quebec. Now, by making the project data accessible and sharing our expertise, we aim to further promote the adoption of these vehicles across the province.
Scroll downData Sharing
The summary report of the Flotte rechargeable – Camions lourds project is based on real-world data analysis from electric heavy duty trucks. This report demonstrates that electrifying heavy trucks in Quebec is not only feasible but also economically advantageous in many applications. The results highlight the importance of identifying the right routes for deploying these vehicles.
.
- Convincing results from testing
IVI conducted real-world trials with five electric trucks tested by Quebec-based carriers: Inter-Nord, Cascades Transport, Smart Transport, Sleeman Breweries, and Levasse Transport. These companies replaced their diesel trucks with models from Freightliner, Peterbilt, Kenworth, and Lion. Each truck traveled approximately 2,000 km during the one-month trial, revealing potential energy cost savings of 38% to 75% compared to their diesel counterparts.
The electrification of heavy-duty trucks is gaining momentum in Quebec, offering tangible opportunities for various sectors involved in local and regional freight transport. IVI hopes that sharing the trial reports and the summary guide will encourage industry stakeholders to consider this transition and take action. Our team is ready to support companies interested in acquiring electric heavy duty trucks by providing expert guidance throughout their project. If you’re exploring this path, feel free to contact us at: flotte@ivisolutions.ca.
Summary Guide
Receive one or more technical reports | Plug-in Fleet – Heavy Duty Trucks
Fill out this form to receive the technical reports of your choice by email.
Project Impact
The Association québécoise des transports (AQTr) awarded two prizes to the Flotte rechargeable – Camions lourds project during the 15th edition of its Grands Prix d’excellence, which recognize outstanding achievements in the field of transportation.
- Sustainable Development and Energy Transition Award
- Public’s Choice Award
These honors highlight the project’s significant contribution to the electric and smart transportation ecosystem, as well as our efforts to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future in the transportation sector.
Key Findings
- Immediate Electrification Potential: 56% of the instrumented straight trucks (Class 6 and 7) could be electrified right now, while this proportion is 27% for tractors (Class 8).
- Encouraging Winter Performance: Electric vehicles maintain functional range in winter, despite an average 30% decrease, demonstrating their reliability in cold climates.
- Charging Suited to Local Needs: A power output of 50 kW is sufficient in most cases for trucks performing short-distance delivery routes and returning to the depot at the end of the day.
- Notable Economic Benefits: Electrification could yield fuel savings of up to nearly $200,000 over ten years, depending on annual mileage. The return on investment ranges from 2.5 to 7 years for trucks ready to be converted.
- Quick Environmental Impact: The point at which an electric truck becomes more environmentally friendly than a diesel truck is reached between 3 and 13 months, depending on the case.
*These parameters were observed on the trucks analyzed as part of the study. Vehicles with different usage scenarios may achieve different results.
Our Recommendations
Electrification of Class 6 to 8 Trucks
- Target routes of up to 200 km per day;
- Return to the terminal each evening;
- Operate on a single shift;
- Focus on dry box trucks without accessories;
- Prioritize routes with moderate speeds;
- Transport light loads (20,000 lb or less for Class 8 trucks).
.
The data, collected between 2022 and 2024, reflects the vehicles and technologies available at that time. The findings and recommendations should be interpreted within this context.
Work Completed During the Project
The electrification of heavy-duty trucks in Quebec is both feasible and profitable. It simply requires identifying the right routes.
This demonstration project allowed fleet managers to test electric trucks in real-world conditions, making it easier to assess their performance and integration into daily operations. By testing vehicles and charging stations over an extended period without risk or cost to participants, the project provided a safe and accessible learning environment. It also served as a credible, neutral, and impartial source of information to support informed and objective decision-making.
Testing of 5 Electric Heavy-Duty Vehicles
Five electric trucks were tested by Quebec-based carriers. Each participant had the opportunity to test one truck and a 50 kW charging station for one month. Vehicles from Freightliner, Peterbilt, Kenworth, and Lion replaced diesel trucks on routes selected by IVI, following a detailed analysis of travel patterns that highlighted electrification potential.
Highlights:
Across all five trials, the trucks covered over 11,000 km;
The five trucks were in operation for a total of 77 days;
On average, trucks returned to the depot at the end of the day with 37% remaining state of charge;
The 50 kW charging station proved more than sufficient to meet the needs of all trucks during the trials;
The truck that traveled the longest distance in a single day covered 302 km.
Events, Workshops, and Road Tests
Raising Awareness and Sharing Knowledge
Nearly 200 people took part in activities organized by IVI, including over 80 freight carriers. In total, eight events were specifically designed for fleet managers, along with more than 30 presentations and panel discussions, reaching a wide range of industry stakeholders.
Our team also organized the largest gathering of electric truck models available for testing in Quebec.
Telematics Analyses and Case Studies
The project also enabled 20 companies to have their usage data analyzed over a 3 month period to assess their compatibility with the current offering of electric heavy-duty trucks and to receive a personalized techno-economic report to support their transition.
The method involved analyzing three diesel trucks per company over three months. This allowed for the calculation of financial and environmental benefits, the selection of appropriate battery sizes for targeted operations, and the determination of the required charging power to support daily activities.
The goal of this analysis phase was to address the main concerns of fleet managers: Is it feasible, and is it profitable?
Highlights:
20 companies analyzed // 60 diesel trucks instrumented;
28,000 trips recorded;
818,380 km analyzed;
15,973 hours observed, equivalent to 665 days of driving.
Project Partners
Financial partner
Lead partner
Official partners
Even more !
Context of heavy-duty transportation
The electrification of heavy duty vehicles in businesses represents a significant paradigm shift and requires substantial awareness and information efforts.
The heavy transport clientele faces the challenge of delivering “Just-in-Time” and cannot afford delays caused by insufficient range or lengthy charging times.
The charging infrastructure required to power trucks with large battery packs is also a challenge that fleet managers will need to fully understand and overcome.
The main barriers to adoption include the additional upfront cost, as well as a lack of knowledge and real-world data on operational and maintenance savings.
Compatibility tests for charging stations
Did you know? Not all charging stations are compatible with every model of electric truck.
L’Institut du véhicule innovant (IVI) conducted compatibility tests between four electric truck models and several charging station models available in Quebec. IVI also measured the average charging power from 20% to 80% for these trucks.
The results of these tests are illustrated in the fact sheet below.
