B A C K G R O U N D E R

Winners of the 2015 Electric Vehicle Dealership Awards HALIFAX, Nova Scotia – May 26, 2015. Today, the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA), in partnership with Plug'n Drive, announced the winners of the 2015 Electric Vehicle Dealership Awards at the EV2015VÉ Electric Vehicle Conference and Trade Show in Halifax. Now in its second year, the Electric Vehicle Dealership Awards is the only program of its kind in Canada that recognizes dealerships who are leaders in the promotion and sale of electric vehicles.

Leading Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) Dealership Award

• Dealership: Motorize Auto Direct Inc. (Sidney, British Columbia) Accepted by Mr. Julian Sale, Owner / Operator

• Performance Highlights: Motorize Auto Direct Inc. is dedicated to serving the needs of their customers and community. The company works to educate the public on the value of EVs (at car shows, as well as community events), and trains all of their staff to sell BEVs. To further promote EVs and their business, Motorize Auto Direct Inc. started a donation program based on vehicle sale referrals, which pays for the installation of chargers to serve the Sidney region. Much of their marketing is based on customer reviews online and word of mouth. Motorize Auto Direct Inc.’s efforts are reflected in their sales, with Battery Electric Vehicles accounting for 65% of the company’s total sales.

• Dealership Profile: Motorize Auto Direct Inc. is southern BC’s most progressive and respected auto brokerage. The company was formed when the 2008 recession took hold. The automotive marketplace was crumbling, and Motorize Auto Direct Inc. was born, bringing a new take to the car dealer image and way of doing business. Drawing from the most capable wholesale industry experts, and sourcing directly from manufacturers, rather than dealers, it has a unique place and advantage in the vehicle sales market.

• Dealership Website: www.motorizevictoria.ca

Leading Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) Dealership Award

• Dealership: Bourgeois Chevrolet (Rawdon, Québec) Accepted by Mr. Samuel Jeanson, Co-owner

• Performance Highlights: Bourgeois Chevrolet works to market and educate its community about electric vehicles. The company promotes electric vehicles through social media, and participation in a number of community events, where they offer free test drives. Customers considering an electric vehicle are offered an extended test drive of a few days so they can test the power consumption and drivability of the electric vehicles Bourgeois Chevrolet offers. In addition to having an entire sales team trained to sell electric vehicles and a well-stocked EV inventory, the company also makes their charging stations available to the entire community. Their efforts have paid off, with plug-in hybrid electric vehicles accounting for 22% of the company’s total sales.

• Dealership Profile: In operation since 1964, Bourgeois Chevrolet believes electric vehicles are not only a product, but a lifestyle to be shared with people in the community. The number of electric vehicles sold annually, in addition to the training sessions completed by technicians and representatives, enable the family-owned company to stand out from its competitors. It lends electric cars out for extended test drives of a few days to allow people to monitor their gas consumption, and the dealership has 21 recharging stations around the facility for use by their clients, the local community, and employees.

• Dealership Website: www.srbourgeois.com/en/

Electric Vehicle Dealership Inspiration Award

• Dealership: Green Rock E.V.S. (Mount Pearl, Newfoundland) Accepted by Mr. John Gordon, President

• Performance Highlights: Green Rock E.V.S. promotes electric vehicles in their community. In September 2014, Green Rock E.V.S. provided Dr. David Suzuki and the Blue Dot Tour Volunteers with six BEV'S and PHEV'S to use during their four day stay in St. John's. The company also was a part of the E-Mazing Race launch in St. John's, which rallies EV enthusiasts to travel across North America to bring attention to the individuals, businesses, and communities who are endorsing sustainable transportation. Green Rock E.V.S. is a member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association, and has participated in a number of conferences, trade shows, and meetings to promote and educate the public about EVs and their benefits.

• Dealership Profile: Green Rock E.V.S. is Newfoundland and Labrador’s only 100% Electric Vehicle Dealer and Service Centre. Green Rock E.V.S.’ mandate is to provide anyone in Newfoundland and Labrador with the opportunity to drive electric and save time, money, and the environment. Since its incorporation in 2013, Green Rock E.V.S. has grown into a full Dealership and Certified Service Center, with three employees. Green Rock E.V.S. sells quality, pre-owned electric vehicles, E-Bikes, and Charging Stations. Green Rock E.V.S. is certified to service and maintain the Nissan Leaf and is currently in training to service the Chevrolet Volt. In addition to EV sales and service, Green Rock E.V.S. has been educating the people in Newfoundland and Labrador on the economic and environmental benefits of driving electric by attending trade shows, environmental conferences, speaker series, and various events.

• Dealership Website: www.greenrockevs.com The Leading Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) Awards are open for competition from dealerships in provinces with rebate programs and other forms of financial assistance, in place during the performance period, to encourage the adoption of electric cars. In 2015, dealerships from Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia were eligible to apply. The Electric Vehicle Dealership Inspiration Award is reserved for the other provinces and territories, recognizing outstanding effort despite the lack of consumer

incentives. Nomination entries are evaluated on five elements, including: sales volume, onsite and community marketing and education initiatives, and certification by manufacturers. Each year, the program is reviewed to adapt to the incentives in place over the performance period. Nomination entries are evaluated by a volunteer Judging Committee. The Committee is comprised of electric vehicle champions, well-known among those working to promote EV adoption in Canada. The 2015 Electric Vehicle Dealership Awards Judging Committee included:

• Michael Bettencourt, Automotive Journalist and Battery Electric Vehicle Owner; • Stephen Bieda, Cleantech consultant,Sun Country Highway; • Ron Groves, Manager, Outreach and Education, Plug’n Drive; • Ian Jack, Managing Director of Communications and Government Relations

,Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) National; • Catherine Kargas, MBA, ECBS, Vice President, MARCON Chair, Electric Mobility

Canada; • Devin McCarthy, Director, Generation and Environment, Canadian Electricity

Association; • Blair Qualey, President and CEO,New Car Dealers of British Columbia; and • Matt Stevens, Chief Executive Officer, Cross Chasm Technologies.

The Electric Vehicle Dealership Awards Program is a joint initiative between the Canadian Electricity Association and Plug'n Drive. Nomination forms for the 2016 Electric Vehicle Dealership Awards will open in January 2016. For more information, visit www.electricvehicleawards.ca. To read the 2015 Electric Vehicle Dealership Awards news release, click here. About CEA Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) members generate, transmit and distribute electrical energy to industrial, commercial, residential and institutional customers across Canada every day. From vertically integrated electric utilities, independent power producers, transmission and distribution companies, to power marketers, to the manufacturers and suppliers of materials, technology and services that keep the industry running smoothly -- all are represented by this national industry association.

Twitter – www.twitter.com/CDNelectricity LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/company/canadian-electricity-association Blog – www.powerforthefuture.ca/blog YouTube – www.youtube.com/canadianelectricity

About Plug’n Drive Plug'n Drive is a non-profit organization committed to accelerating the adoption of electric cars across Canada to maximize their environmental and economic benefits. To help drivers make the switch, Plug'n Drive is focused on three key programs: Education, Home and Public Charging Infrastructure and Research to support the electric vehicle industry.

Twitter – www.twitter.com/PlugN_Drive LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/company/plug’n-drive Website – www.plugndrive.ca Media Contacts: Samara Wiseman Brian Millar Manager, Public Affairs Communications Advisor Canadian Electricity Association Plug’n Drive Office: 613-688-2954 Office: 647 717 6941 Cell: 613-355-4022 Cell: 647 780 6806 wiseman@electricity.ca brian@plugndrive.ca