Philadelphia's Navy Yard Hosts International Sustainable Mobility Expo with SEPTA and Québec

Philly's Navy Yard was buzzing once again as SEPTA and the Québec Government teamed up with the city for the Smart and Sustainable Mobility Showcase. This third annual event, which took place at the former naval base, now a hub for innovation, had over 20 companies from Québec presenting their latest eco-friendly transport solutions. Michael Carroll, Philadelphia's Deputy Managing Director for Transportation, highlighted the showcase's vital role in bringing Québécois transportation tech to local markets. “This is truly a unique exhibition and conference where Québécois transportation companies can showcase products to our local market and spur investment and job creation in the region. The goal is to bolster connections and partnerships that can ultimately bring cutting edge mobility options and innovative solutions to our local communities,” Carroll told phila.gov.

Attendees of the showcase got to eagerly explore a slew of electric and hydrogen vehicles, learn about smart charging infrastructure, and the newest digital tools all geared to drop emissions and align with Philadelphia's climate goals. An array of artificial intelligence and data analytics companies were also there, demonstrating tech that's primed to quickly transform transit operations.

One standout feature this year was a live showcase of municipal fleet vehicles from the City of Philadelphia, right along with SEPTA and the City's Department of Aviation. David Brulotte, Québec Government’s Delegate General in New York, expressed Québec's commitment to sustainable mobility and the fruitful outcomes that emerged from this cross-border partnership. “This event reflects Québec’s commitment to working hand in hand with regional actors—public and private—to advance innovation and sustainable mobility. Thanks to this platform, we’ve already seen concrete success stories emerge, with Québec companies setting up operations and creating jobs right here in the U.S. Together, we’re building strong, forward-looking partnerships that deliver real impact on both sides of the border,” Brulotte stated in the event details released by phila.gov.

The event also played host to key industry discussions on fleet efficiency and resilience, with Scott A. Sauer, SEPTA's Interim General Manager, artfully capturing the essence of the partnership. “By fostering dialogue around best practices and transit operations, we are advancing innovative, efficient solutions that strengthen our regional networks and ensure long-term resilience. The support from our peers and partners, both near and far, helps us provide impactful services to our riders and pursue our mission in a resource-conscious manner," Sauer explained, as reported by phila.gov.

In addition to showcasing cutting-edge technologies, the event included roundtable discussions on university campus decarbonization strategies and the modernization of transit fleet operations. The Navy Yard, which has been going through an extensive redevelopment over the past 25 years into a thriving business and technology center, was particularly apt for hosting such future-oriented conversations. Executive Vice President of the Navy Yard, Kate McNamara, shared her pride in contributing to this critical mission, saying, “Innovation is at the heart of what we do here at the Navy Yard, and we’ve spent the past 25 years transforming this former naval base into a dynamic campus that cultivates cutting-edge businesses and technologies,” as noted by phila.gov.