OTTAWA — Canadians who bought eligible vehicles starting on March 20, 2007 can now apply for rebates under the ecoAUTO Rebate Program. Canada's New Government today released the application form for the program, which offers Canadians rebates from $1,000 to $2,000 on the purchase of new fuel-efficient vehicles. Transport Canada and Service Canada are partnering to deliver the program.

The application form is available on the Internet at www.ecoaction.gc.ca/ecoauto, at vehicle dealers, by calling the ecoAUTO toll free number at 1-866-506-6804, or by visiting any Service Canada Centre to download and print the form. Canadians simply need to fill out the easy-to-complete application, include appropriate documents for validation, and mail it to the address on the form. A cheque will be sent if the application is complete and successful.

"The ecoAUTO Rebate Program helps Canadians to help the environment by buying more fuel-efficient vehicles," said the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "Canadian drivers are looking to lower their fuel bills. The ecoAUTO Rebate Program gives them a good way to do it, and save money on the price of a car."

Model year 2006 and 2007 vehicles qualifying for the rebate include some hybrid electric vehicles and highly energy-efficient vehicles. The list of eligible vehicles, currently posted on the Transport Canada website, includes:

• new cars with a combined fuel consumption of 6.5 L/100km or less;
• new sport utility vehicles and other light duty vehicles with a combined fuel consumption of 8.3 L/100km or less; and
• new flexible-fuel vehicles with a combined E85 fuel consumption rating of 13.0 L/100km or less.

The list of eligible 2008 vehicles will be posted on the Transport Canada website in the coming weeks.

The two-year ecoAUTO Rebate Program supports the Government of Canada's ecoTRANSPORT Strategy, which is aimed at:

• improving the health of Canadians and the environment by reducing the environmental impacts of transportation;
• securing Canada's future prosperity and competitiveness by making critical transportation infrastructure sustainable, both economically and environmentally; and
• promoting an efficient transportation system that supports choice and the high quality of life that Canadians expect.

Canada's New Government committed over $4.5 billion in Budget 2007 to environmental initiatives. With the ecoAUTO Rebate Program, the federal government is aiming to increase consumer purchases of more fuel-efficient vehicles before new, mandatory fuel-efficiency standards take effect for model year 2011.

For more information on this program, please visit www.ecoaction.gc.ca/ecoauto.