FACT SHEET
ECOTECHNOLOGY FOR VEHICLES
Transport Canada's ecoTECHNOLOGY for Vehicles Program is designed to raise
awareness among Canadians about advanced environmental vehicle technologies and
their benefits, and to help them make informed decisions about purchasing
vehicles that use clean technologies.
With up to $15 million in funding, this 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 solutions; and
- raising public awareness of advanced technology vehicles.
The ecoTECHNOLOGY for Vehicles Program will involve purchasing and testing a
range of advanced technologies - including hydrogen, advanced electric, hybrid
and fuel cell vehicles - and showcasing them at public events across Canada.
Near and long-term advanced technologies suitable for the Canadian vehicle
market will also be featured. These technologies will include more efficient and
cleaner gasoline and diesel engines, electric, solar, hydrogen fuel cells,
biodiesel, etc., as well as individual advanced technology vehicle components.
In addition, the program will focus on building strong partnerships with the
automotive industry and others, to encourage penetration of a broader range of
environmental technologies and vehicles into the Canadian new vehicle fleet.
These include:
- powertrain and engine improvements;
- advanced valve control to enhance vehicle efficiency;
- lightweight materials;
- aerodynamics;
- tire technologies; and
- advanced engine technologies such as hybrid, advanced electric, fuel
cell, and hydrogen technologies.
There are more than 18 million motor vehicles registered in Canada, which
account for approximately one-eighth of the greenhouse gas emissions in the
country.
Advanced technologies will play an important role in helping the auto
industry to achieve the 5.3 megatonne reduction target for greenhouse gas
emissions from light duty vehicles in Canada. The industry has agreed to pursue
this target under a voluntary agreement with the government between now and
2010, following which new fuel consumption regulations will come into effect for
the 2011 model year.
Preliminary estimates suggest that the program will result in a reduction in
the order of
500 kilotonnes (kt) of greenhouse gas reductions in 2010, as well as reductions
of the following air pollutants: sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, volatile
organic compounds, carbon monoxide, and ammonia.
The sustainability of Canada’s transportation system relies on the reduction
of air emissions from transportation sources and the development of cleaner
transportation systems, practices and technologies. Through the ecoTECHNOLOGY
for Vehicles Program, Transport Canada will facilitate the introduction and use
of clean, safe and efficient advanced technology vehicles.
February 2007
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