Canadians have made it clear that the environment is a top priority, but regulations to curb harmful emissions can only do so much. The choices we make about the vehicles we drive and how we drive them are just as important. Our personal vehicles ― cars, pickups, SUVs and minivans ― are major contributors to smog and account for more than 12 percent of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions.

With the launch of the ecoENERGY for Personal Vehicles Initiative, making the right choices is easier. This program offers easy access to information, including fuel consumption guides and other tools, to help Canadians choose the cleanest, most efficient car or truck for their particular needs.

It provides Canadian motorists with helpful tips on buying, driving and maintaining their vehicles to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Reducing fuel consumption means saving money and, more importantly, helping the environment.

This initiative will also work with communities, provincial and territorial governments and other partners to encourage driving and vehicle maintenance habits that increase fuel efficiency, reduce emissions and save money.

To make sure Canadians continue to enjoy a wide selection of fuel-efficient vehicles, the Government is working directly with automakers to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2010. This voluntary effort by automakers is part of the preparation for mandatory fuel-efficiency regulations that will come into force for the 2011 model year as part of the Clean Air Regulatory Agenda announced last fall.