A Strategic Innovation to Revolutionize Transport Electrification and Port Decarbonization

At Groupe Morneau, we are proud to be part of a historic collaboration that marks a major turning point in transport electrification and port decarbonization. On January 23, 2024, the Vallée de la Transition Énergétique (VTE) announced the signing of a strategic agreement bringing together key players in innovation, logistics, and transport electrification, including us, alongside InnovÉÉ, Elonroad, VTE, and Filgo.
An Innovative Partnership to Redefine Transport and Mobility
At the heart of this collaboration is the charging technology developed by Elonroad, a Swedish company that is a pioneer in automatic charging solutions for electric vehicles. This unique technology relies on a non-intrusive ground-based conductive rail and an inverted pantograph, allowing for automatic electric charging while in motion, whether for buses, trucks, or trams. This enables the use of smaller, lighter, and more affordable batteries, while eliminating downtime associated with charging stops.
This agreement is more than just a project; it aims to transform the paradigms of heavy transport and port decarbonization while supporting the energy transition in Quebec and North America. The project will be deployed using the vehicles and sites of the partner companies, including Morneau and Filgo.
A Key Milestone for the Future
The main objectives of this agreement are clear:
Accelerate transport electrification and mobility;
Reduce energy consumption of heavy vehicles;
Position Quebec as a leader in this disruptive technology in North America;
Encourage commercialization prospects.
This ambitious project relies on the commitment of each actor to push the boundaries of innovation.
Alain Lemieux, Executive Director of VTE, emphasizes the importance of unity in this project:
« Federating and mobilizing stakeholders around innovative projects is our role at VTE. We are proud to have made possible the signing of this collaboration agreement. Working together and the cohesion of the sector is decisive in advancing the energy transition," states Alain Lemieux, Executive Director of VTE.»
Thierry St-Cyr, President and CEO of InnovÉÉ, highlights the crucial contribution of the partners to this initiative:
« InnovÉÉ’s mission is to stimulate, support, and fund collaborative research projects. This agreement demonstrates the partners' commitment to being leading players in Quebec's energy transition and the fight against climate change.»
Denis Marcotte, Technical Services Director at Groupe Morneau, discusses the importance of automatic charging technology for transport electrification:
« Static and dynamic automatic charging technologies, such as those from Elonroad, are certainly a solution for transport electrification, as they will help address autonomy issues, virtually eliminate downtime for recharging on the road, and reduce vehicle weight with smaller, more affordable batteries, making vehicles more competitively priced. We are proud to collaborate on this large-scale project," says Denis Marcotte, Technical Services Director at Groupe Morneau.»
Valery Prunier, CEO of Elonroad, underscores the opportunity to expand this technology in North America:
« Sweden, France, where we opened our first subsidiary, and Quebec are three global leaders in affordable decarbonized electricity. We are considering establishing our North American production unit in Quebec. The reception of Quebec's decision-makers to the consortium's proposal will determine this," states Valery Prunier, CEO of Elonroad.»
Finally, Wassim Kanso, Senior Director of Energy Transition at Filgo, highlights the multisectoral impact of ground-based charging technology:
« At Filgo, we firmly believe that technological innovation is essential to the energy transition. As a leading Quebec energy distributor, we are proud to contribute to this visionary partnership. Ground-based charging technology opens unprecedented opportunities for transport electrification, with multisector applications ranging from electric buses to trams and ports. With its expertise and diverse energy portfolio, Filgo plays a catalytic role in decarbonization and the implementation of concrete projects on the ground, contributing to sustainable mobility for Quebec and Canada.»
A Giant Leap for the Energy Transition
This initiative represents an important step toward a future where transport electrification and industrial decarbonization are no longer abstract concepts, but rather tangible and sustainable realities. At Groupe Morneau, we are excited to participate in this ambitious and innovative project in collaboration with partners committed to transforming our sector for a greener future.
About the Partners
InnovÉÉ: A Quebec-based organization that catalyzes innovation in transport electrification and smart energy, supporting collaborative projects between industry and research centers.
Elonroad: An innovative Swedish company pioneering automatic charging solutions for electric vehicles.
Filgo: A leading Quebec energy distributor, committed to decarbonization and technological innovation.
Vallée de la Transition Énergétique (VTE): Is an innovation hub dedicated to the development of energy sectors including batteries, transport electrification, hydrogen, and industrial-port decarbonization. VTE aims to establish a world-class research and innovation ecosystem that will develop innovative decarbonization solutions to drive the energy transition.
Groupe Morneau: A renowned Quebec transport company, specializing in transport and logistics, with a network of 23 terminals across Eastern Canada. Morneau is committed to integrating sustainable practices and technologies.