Lowering Canada's Vehicle Emissions

Reducing vehicle emissions could be the most important move Canadians make in reducing greenhouse gas emissions which contribute to climate change. Studies show that transportation is the single largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada, accounting for one quarter of the total.

Cars of the Future

In April 2005, an agreement was signed between the Government of Canada and the Canadian Automotive Industry. Carmakers voluntarily agreed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from new cars in Canada; so that by 2010, annual emissions reductions will reach 5.3 megatonnes (one megatonne (Mt) equals one million tonnes).

To meet this goal, the Canadian Automotive Industry will offer and promote a wide variety of fuel-saving vehicle technologies, including advanced diesel technology, alternative fuel vehicles, hybrid vehicles, high fuel efficiency technologies and other GHG-reducing technologies. Under the Kyoto Protocol, a United Nations program aimed at reducing global warming and GHGs, these new innovations are targeting lowering emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and hydrofluorocarbons.

A joint industry-government monitoring committee is being established to assess progress towards meeting the 5.3 Mt target. Annual reports from the committee will be available to the public.

Automotive technologies are changing rapidly. The hybrid vehicles of today are only the first in their class and there is expected to be a revolution in the automotive industry over the next few years.

Reducing Your Emissions

Canada's Kyoto target deadlines of reducing total emissions between 2008 and 2012 to 6 per cent below 1990 are fast approaching. It is important that Canadians continue to do their individual part in lowering vehicle emissions over the next few years.

Luckily, there are many choices you can make every step of the way; when you buy your vehicle, fill up your tank, maintain your vehicle, drive or not drive at all.

Buying Your Vehicle

Every commercial vehicle releases carbon dioxide (CO₂), impacting our environment. But some vehicles are more fuel efficient than others. By choosing a more fuel efficient vehicle when you buy, you can easily reduce both your fuel costs and CO₂ emissions. For example, a vehicle that is 25 per cent more fuel efficient than the current average, such as a hybrid vehicle, will reduce your greenhouse gas emissions and save $360 on an average annual gasoline bill of $1440.

Choosing Your Alternative Fuel

There are a variety of alternative fuels that can be used for powering vehicles:

• Hybrid electric vehicles reduce tailpipe emissions by approximately 28 per cent.
• Ethanol, as a 10 per cent blend with gasoline, produces about three to four per cent fewer emissions than gasoline.
• Biodiesel, as a 20 per cent blend with diesel, produces 12 to 18 per cent fewer emissions than pure petroleum diesel.
• Natural gas burns more cleanly, efficiently and completely than gasoline or diesel fuel, producing far fewer toxic pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Propane produces up to 20 per cent fewer toxic pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions.

Maintaining Your Vehicle

Keeping your vehicle in prime operating condition will save you fuel and money, reduce your long-term maintenance costs and minimize harmful exhaust emissions. Conversely, a poorly maintained vehicle can increase fuel consumption by up to 50 per cent and environmental emissions by even more.

Stopping Your Engines

Ten seconds of idling can use more fuel than turning off your engine and restarting it. Every ten minutes of idling costs you one-tenth to four-tenths of a litre in wasted fuel. Every litre of gasoline you use produces 2.4 kg of carbon dioxide.

Reducing Your Time Behind the Wheel

Getting your services locally, running more than one errand at a time and avoiding rush hour traffic are ways to reduce your time on the road. There are also alternatives like using public transit, car pooling, biking or walking.

With so many ways to save on fuel, anyone who drives can make a few changes that will save a tonne of greenhouse gas emissions; improving our environment and bringing Canada closer to meeting our Kyoto commitments.