Public charging stations

Roughly 7,000 public electric vehicle charging stations are in operation in Québec, including more than 500 fast-charging stations. Public electric vehicle charging stations allow the owners of electric vehicles to plan travel and long trips.

The Electric Circuit

The Electric Circuit is the biggest public charging network in Québec.

In August 2021, the Electric Circuit offered in Québec more than 3,000 public charging stations including 450 fast-charging stations.

Rates:

The Electric Circuit rates were changed on February 1, 2022. Visit the Electric Circuit website for full details.

Here is an overview:

Rates for 240V stations:

$2.50 per charge, regardless of charging time, or
$1 per hour, billed per minute while the vehicle is connected to the station.

For 50 kW fast-charge stations, the rate varies depending on the battery charge level:

$12.39 per hour if the battery has a charge level of less than 90%;
$24.78 per hour if the battery has a charge level greater than 90%.

Charging time is billed per second while the vehicle is connected to the station.

Pricing information for each station is clearly explained on the Electric Circuit website and mobile apps.

You must first register with the network to use this service, which also includes technical support from CAA-Québec. The member’s card covers stations in the Electric Circuit and Flo and ChargePoint charging stations.

Electric Circuit website

lecircuitelectrique.com

Mobile applications can help you find a charging station and use it as well as show you how to replenish your account:

Electric Circuit charging station at the Québec City Aquarium

Flo

In October 2012, the Québec-based company AddÉnergie launched VERnetwork, a network of charging stations for rechargeable electric vehicles. In June 2016, the VERnetwork was renamed Flo.

Flo is well established in Canada and the United States.

Rate: Usage fees vary from one station to another based on the policies of local charging station operators. An hourly use-based rate usually applies, e.g., $1 per hour of use, but some stations offer free charging. You must first register with the network. CAA-Québec provides technical support, which is available at all times.

Flo website

FLO on the go

Mobile applications can help you find a charging station and use it as well as show you how to replenish your account:

Indoor Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Tesla Motors

In Québec, Tesla Motors has installed several Tesla fast-charging stations in Québec.

The Tesla Supercharger allows owners of a Tesla to obtain a half-charge of their battery in 20 minutes and a full charge in 75 minutes.

Tesla Fast Charging Station in Magog

Rate
Charging time is calculated per minute and inactivity fees can be charged.
Depending on the year the vehicle has been sold, charging can be free.

Tesla Motors website

To find a Tesla Supercharger

Other public networks

Other smaller public charging networks also offer public charging facilities that are complementary to major networks. They are located in many cities and towns, in public places, but also along major roads and highways.

Here are a few examples:

Chargepoint (offered to members of the FLO network)
EVduty
Petro-Canada
RechargeEco (offered to members of the ChargePoint and FLO networks)
SunCountry (locations and detailed conditions on PlugShare )

Visit these networks’ websites to learn more about their pricing and terms of use.

Locator maps

There are many maps online to help you locate public charging stations easily. They are available as websites or mobile apps. It may be worth consulting several of these maps before planning a long trip.

Given how quickly new stations are popping up and the differences in their terms of use, keeping this type of reference site updated is an ambitious undertaking. The providers of these maps rely on station operators and users to help them gather and confirm information.

Here are a few examples: