ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY VEHICLES PROGRAM

Transport Canada's Advanced Technology Vehicles Program is designed to support efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation sources and help support a more sustainable transportation system.

Under the program, advanced vehicles and technologies, such as electric and hybrid vehicles, are assessed to determine their impact on safety, energy-efficiency and the environment. Some of these vehicles are currently available in Canada.

Reducing emissions from transportation sources and developing cleaner transportation systems, practices and technologies will help make Canada's transportation system more sustainable. Vehicles with advanced powertrains, materials, chassis designs, emission controls, fuels, controls and displays and other technologies are poised for introduction over the next decade. The Advanced Technology Vehicles Program will ensure that Transport Canada is ready to match the pace of technological change by helping introduce and use clean, safe and efficient advanced technology vehicles.

The program is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from on-road vehicles by:

• evaluating the fuel-efficiency, emissions and safety performance of advanced technology vehicles;
• identifying opportunities and market potential for the introduction and use of advanced technology vehicles;
• identifying barriers to the introduction and use of advanced technology vehicles and recommending remedies; and
• raising public awareness of advanced technology vehicles.

The program is assessing the fuel-efficiency, emissions and safety performance of more than 100 vehicles through a comprehensive program of on-road evaluations, instrumented track tests and formal laboratory tests. In addition, a program of special events has been undertaken to showcase advanced technology vehicles and to raise public awareness of advanced technology vehicles and the role these vehicles can play in a sustainable future. Over six million Canadians have been reached through these events.

Special studies and partnerships aimed at evaluating the safety of these vehicles have been initiated with such organizations as the National Research Council of Canada, Health Canada, Environment Canada and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.

The program's preliminary findings include:

• today's technology can improve fuel efficiency by 25 to 40 per cent;
• diesel technology can cut fuel consumption by 40 per cent;
• greater harmony in international regulations is needed;
• low-sulphur and alternative fuels are not easily available;
• while there has been positive public reaction to small urban vehicles, the public is still concerned about their safety;
• fuel cell vehicles have long-term potential; and
• high particulate emissions from gasoline direct injection engines are a potential concern.

Transport Canada's Advanced Technology Vehicles Program is a component of the Motor Vehicle Fuel Efficiency Initiative, one of five transportation measures identified under the Government of Canada's Action Plan 2000 on Climate Change.

More information, please visit the Action Plan 2000 website.

December 2005