Sustainable mobility, electric vehicles and car sharing in the Outaouais

As part of its mission to rally the driving forces in the Outaouais around concerted action to identify solutions in response to environmental issues, the Regional Council for the Environment and Sustainable Development in Outaouais (Conseil régional de l’environnement et du développement durable de l’Outaouais – CREDDO) wishes to propose sustainable mobility solutions in the village cores of the municipalities of Chelsea, Cantley, La Pêche and Val-des-Monts, in the Outaouais. The COVID-19 pandemic has led, in the short term, to major shifts in mobility practices and suggests that the transition toward remote work will accelerate. As a result, several households are considering getting rid of their second vehicle, among other things. Work is not the only activity that has become virtual; online activities like shopping, education and recreation have also seen a considerable, often-forced increase, which could signal the start of new post-COVID habits. While it is difficult to predict our return to normal and the long-term impact of the pandemic, several researchers are predicting an overall decrease in mobility as well as increased irregularity of our travel habits. In addition, the recent Green Economy Plan of the Quebec government focuses in particular on the electrification of transportation and shared transport. A window of opportunity is open for testing sustainable mobility solutions outside of major cities. This project proposes to carry out a feasibility study to identify facilitating factors, obstacles, as well as the interest of citizens and organizations in four municipalities of the RCM of Collines-de-l'Outaouais in adopting sustainable mobility options, including the sharing of electric and hybrid vehicles. This project is articulated around three major tasks: diagnosis of the territory under study; design and administration of a survey to assess the potential market for a car-sharing service; analysis of survey data and recommendations on the implementation of such a service. The economic and environmental impact resulting from the identified strategies will also be assessed. Innovative aspects: • The concept of electric vehicle sharing can be considered innovative for the CREDDO and the partner municipalities. • This study takes into consideration the recent and evolving context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Replicability: • The knowledge and results of this study could benefit several municipalities, including municipalities in other regions of Quebec. • The lessons learned following this project will be shared through the Research Chair on Mobility of Polytechnique Montréal and the National Group of Regional Environmental Councils of Quebec (Regroupement national des conseils régionaux de l’environnement du Québec). (Project description from original funding application)