Cleo

Cleo began in 2020 as a Hydro-Québec initiative to help commercial electric vehicle fleets manage their charging needs through a smart charging management platform. The system enabled fleet operators to plan charging schedules intelligently, lowering energy costs and increasing operational reliability.

A major turning point came in August 2024, when Cleo was acquired by Polara, a Quebec-based provider of complete fleet electrification infrastructure services. This move shifted Cleo from being a government-owned subsidiary to a product within Polara’s broader service portfolio, allowing it to benefit from a larger market reach and additional resources.

In early 2025, Cleo was repositioned under Polara’s brand strategy as the company’s dedicated smart charging platform. While Polara now manages the full scope of electrification—covering fleet analysis, infrastructure deployment, and operational management—Cleo continues to focus exclusively on intelligent energy management through real-time data and automated scheduling.

The platform has been enhanced with tools to help operators monetize carbon compliance credits by generating reports and documentation required for participation in emissions-reduction incentive programs. Cleo also played a key role in a demand-response pilot with Hydro-Québec, where around 15 fleet sites adjusted charging during peak winter demand, freeing roughly 3 megawatts of grid capacity and earning substantial rebates for participating operators.

Keywords: Cleo, smart charging management, fleet electrification, Polara acquisition, Hydro-Québec origins, demand-response pilot, carbon compliance credits, EV charging platform