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Transportation in Canada 1998 |
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6
Transportation and Energy
Canada's Fuel Efficiency Programs
Fuel consumption plays a significant role in how much energy
is used for transportation, and a number of Canadian initiatives
are consequently aimed at promoting transportation fuel efficiency.
Some of these programs are described briefly below.
Motor Vehicle Fuel Consumption Standards Act and Motor
Vehicle Fuel Consumption Program
The joint Government-Industry Voluntary Fuel Consumption Program
set the first Company Average Fuel Consumption (CAFC) targets
for automobiles in 1980; subsequently, government passed Bill
C-107, the Motor Vehicle Fuel Consumption Standards Act (MVFCSA).
This legislation exists as an alternative to voluntary fuel efficiency
standards. The program sets voluntary fuel efficiency standards
for new vehicles, and encourages manufacturers to produce and
sell more fuel-efficient cars and light trucks. Under the program,
motor vehicle manufacturers have to meet voluntary annual Company
Average Fuel Consumption targets for new light vehicles sold in
Canada. A 1995 Memorandum of Understanding between Natural Resources
Canada and key vehicle manufacturers provides an opportunity to
expand the voluntary commitment by manufacturers on vehicle fuel
efficiency. It incorporates a more balanced approach to improving
motor vehicle fuel efficiency, including initiatives aimed at
vehicle owners and operators as well as new vehicle technology.
EnerGuide Labelling Program for Vehicles
This program, which was developed jointly by government and
industry, replaces the long-running fuel consumption labelling
program administered until recently by Transport Canada. Under
the new program, motor vehicle manufacturers voluntarily affix
fuel consumption labels to new vehicles offered for sale. The
label will also show the estimated fuel cost of the vehicle. This
allows buyers to compare the average city and highway fuel consumption
ratings of all new cars, vans, and light-duty trucks, and to assess
the potential economic and environmental savings that can be realized
by choosing to purchase one vehicle over another.
The program produces and distributes over 400,000 Fuel Consumption
Guides that provide vehicle buyers with the fuel consumption ratings
for all new, light-duty vehicles. The Guide is published annually
by Natural Resources Canada in cooperation with the vehicle industry
and Transport Canada.
Auto$mart
Auto$mart encourages energy-efficient and environmentally-responsible
decisions. Its approach involves the dissemination of information
materials and joint initiatives concerning personal vehicles with
public sector and private sector partners. NRCan delivers this
program, working with the private sector and other levels of government
to develop the information products that communicate the required
information. Auto$mart information products include: the Auto$mart
Student Driving Kit, the Auto$mart Fuel Consumption Guide, the
Fuel Economy Calculator, a 1-800 line, a web site, etc. The education
components include a student driving kit, car care clinics, and
other elements, such as a syndicated radio program, that are still
under development.
Each year the program distributes about 300,000 publications,
and reaches 400,000 new drivers through 600 participating
driver-educators.
Fleet Energy Program
The aim of this program is to increase energy efficiency and
the use of alternative transportation fuels in the public sector
and commercial fleets. It consists of two elements: FleetWise
and FleetSmart.
FleetWise
This program incorporates information, tools and services,
is aimed at assisting federal departments to cut costs and reduce
emissions from the operation of federal fleets. The approach to
achieving the program goals is to increase fuel efficiency and
use alternative transportation fuels in federal government vehicles.
The program is managed through an Interdepartmental Task Force
that includes NRCan, Treasury Board, Environment Canada, and Public
Works and Government Services Canada.
FleetSmart
The FleetSmart program encourages other Canadian fleet operators
to reduce operating costs through energy-efficient practices and
the use of alternative fuels. Announced in 1997, the program works
in partnership with fleet and industry associations, vehicle and
engine manufacturers, and equipment suppliers. The program develops
energy use data and profiles for fleet segments and provides a
range of products such as a FleetSmart Tool Kit, an Internet site
(fuel prices and source lists), success stories, and studies that
identify best practices, and a SmartDriver training alternative.
About 400 fleets are registered in the program, representing over
90,000 vehicles.
Transportation Efficiency R&D Programs
The NRCan Transportation Efficiency R&D program supports
the development of technologies to reduce fuel consumption in
Canada. Research and development focus on high fuel-efficiency,
low emission technologies. The program, suspended temporarily,
recommenced with new funding in April 1998.
Canada's Fuel Efficiency Programs
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