The auto industry is struggling across North America, but focusing on the electric car market could be a boon for Quebec, the province's natural resource minister says.

Claude Béchard says he can foresee a day when the province might become involved in every aspect of producing electric cars — from production to powering.

"We're thinking about it, and I believe nothing is impossible," he told reporters Tuesday. "I think we're in the right place at the right time."

Unlike hybrid-electric vehicles that depend on gasoline power to charge the battery, pure electric cars have a range of about 50 kilometres without any need for alternative power.

A new partnership, unveiled Tuesday between the province's power utility and Ford Canada, is a clear step toward making them a reality.

Under the three-year pact, Hydro-Québec workers will help test new Ford Escape rechargeable vehicles that can be plugged into conventional electrical outlets.

The minister stopped short of unveiling a specific incentive program to stimulate more production, saying he'll unveil the province's plans to make Quebec integral in every aspect of the burgeoning electric car industry in the fall.

He nevertheless stressed that partnerships Hydro-Québec with Ford could "open doors."

Automaker Magna is currently looking for a site to build a factory in the sector and Quebec would love to convince the Ontario-based company to settle on Quebec.

The project has advantages for the automaker, too. The province's harsh winters and abundant hydroelectric power make the province an ideal site for the pilot project, officials said.

"With the winters that you have here in Quebec, we can really test the rechargeable vehicle in real life and obtain important information on reliability," Nancy Gioia, program director of hybrid vehicles with Ford said.

The project will not only help decipher how the car will perform in extreme conditions, but also gauge the effect on the province's power supply if electric vehicles obtain mainstream acceptance, Hydro-Quebec CEO Thierry Vandal said.

Gioia says Ford plans to begin mass-production of the plug-in vehicles by 2012.

With files from Canadian Press