FLO and grocery retailer Metro are partnering on the development of new electric vehicle fast-charging stations in Quebec and Ontario.

The companies plan to install fast chargers at about 130 Metro, Super C, Food Basics and Marché Adonis grocery store locations in the two provinces. At least 500 fast-charging ports will be installed, starting in August.

“This partnership is about integrating the best EV charging experience into daily life and making it as routine as grocery shopping,” said Louis Tremblay, Quebec City-based FLO’s president and CEO, in a news release.  “Making public charging options widely available is key for Canada to achieve its environmental goals and transition to an emission-free transportation sector.

“By establishing fast charging stations at more than 130 grocery stores across Quebec and Ontario, we’re laying the groundwork to accelerate the transition.”

FLO operates an EV charging-station network across North America and provides smart-charging solutions manufactured at the company’s Sherbrooke, Que.-based plant.

Many of the installations at the Quebec and Ontario grocery store sites are being supported by FLO’s partnership with the Canadian Infrastructure Bank, which provided a $235-million investment that will bring about 1,900 public fast-charging ports online across Canada by 2027.

 “Through this partnership, we are taking action to reduce our indirect emissions linked to the transport of our customers, while contributing to the collective effort of transition towards a more low-carbon economy,” said Michel Avigliano, Montreal-based Metro’s vice-president of real estate and engineering.

The grocery stores will feature the new FLO dual-port Ultra fast charger that can charge most EV batteries to 85% of capacity in 15 minutes.