Coderre defends $24M price tag of Montreal's Formula E race this summer

The price tag for Montreal's electric Formula E racing series this July is being set at$24 million.

The race, which comes to Montreal on July 29 and 30, will feature electric cars that reach speeds up to 225 kilometres per hour. The circuit will follow city streets around the east end of Montreal's downtown.

Mayor Denis Coderre said Tuesday the city will spend $14 million on infrastructure he argues that this will be on roadwork that needsto be done anyway.

In addition to that money, the city has approved a 10-million-dollar line of credit for the non-profitgroup organizing the race to cover costs beyond infrastructure.

"When we talk about Viger, Berri, and Ren-Lvesque, Papineau, I don't think we want a race with pot holes," Coderre said, referring to streets the circuit will follow.

Coderre brushed off questions about the cost, saying this is aninvestment in Montreal being seen as a green energy leader.

He stressed today's announcementwas good newsand he called the race "a mission."

"We're changing the culture, we want cars but we want electric cars. We want taxis, but we want electric taxis," Coderre said.

First sponsor announced

He added that the race will be seen by about 15 million people internationally and will give Montreal exposure as a leader in the field of green energy.

Coderre also expects tourism for the event will economically benefit the city.

Hydro-Qubecis the first sponsor to come on board with a contribution of $850,000. Coderre said more sponsors would be announced in the near future.

Formula E is a competition with 10 teams facing off in different cities around the world. Montreal's races in July will be the finaltwo races of Formula E's2016-17 season.

• Racing fans excited about prospective Montreal Formula E race