2024-01-10 05:00:00
The new CEO of Hydro-Québec, Michael Sabia, did not want the Tesla of his predecessor, Sophie Brochu. The state-owned company has just bought him a luxury hybrid Volvo SUV for nearly $100,000.
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The Tesla Model Y that Ms. Brochu used, however, was only a few years old and had less than 80,000 kilometers on the odometer, which is relatively low for an electric vehicle.
The car, which cost $73,000 in 2021, will now be used “as a replacement vehicle for the CEO,” the Journal a Hydro spokesperson, Louis-Olivier Batty.
“Depending on its use, we will evaluate different options in the coming months, including the possibility of having it available,” he added.
Sophie Brochu abandoned, at the end of 2021, the plug-in hybrid Volvo XC90 which served as her company vehicle. She had swapped it for a Tesla Model Y. AFP and archive photos, QMI Agency
«Bureau mobile»
Mr. Sabia now drives a plug-in hybrid Volvo XC90. This spacious sport utility vehicle consumes 3.8 liters per 100 km in hybrid mode and 8.9 liters per 100 km in combustion mode. Its electric range is 53 kilometers compared to around 450 kilometers for the Model Y.
«[Le Volvo XC90 hybride rechargeable] was chosen for its high safety and reliability characteristics and since it will allow the vast majority of trips to be made in electric mode, while allowing long journeys to be made thanks to hybrid mode. This vehicle serves as a mobile office when the CEO travels,” Mr. Batty said.
On the Volvo website, the price of the XC90 Recharge ranges from $84,750 to $96,350 plus taxes. The vehicle acquired by Hydro-Québec has been in service since November.
Michael Sabia Archive photo, QMI Agency
Higher costs
In 2021, Hydro touted the purchase of the Tesla for Sophie Brochu.
“There will no longer be any greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions linked to the company vehicle,” Louis-Olivier Batty said at the time. Journal.
Before purchasing the Tesla, the state-owned company paid $5,000 in gasoline for the approximately 40,000 kilometers traveled each year by Ms. Brochu. Last year, vehicle charging costs were less than $1,000. As for maintenance expenses, they had gone from more than $8,000 to around $1,000 per year.
“We are therefore talking regarding fairly significant gains,” said Mr. Batty, while noting “that a company vehicle lasts for four to seven years.”
“Transition tool”
Martin Archambault, electric vehicle specialist and podcast host Silence, we rideis not scandalized by what looks like a step backwards on the part of Hydro-Québec.
“Would I have preferred a 100% electric car? “That’s for sure,” he agrees.
Mr. Archambault emphasizes, however, that the choice remains wider in hybrid vehicles, especially for larger models.
“It allows a little more flexibility,” he said. Quite honestly, at a time when we are in technology and for certain needs, I find that it is the best of both worlds. I dare to hope that in four or five years, there will be enough larger 100% electric vehicles, which will ensure that we will no longer be forced to fall back on the transition tool that is the hybrid.”
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