Canadian Legislative Updates
Government of Ontario Provides Update on Electric Vehicles Plan
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and his government have highlighted that they remain committed to providing clean transportation options for the province. The province's vision to have one out of every 20 vehicles be electrically powered by the year 2020 continues to push forward.
In partnership with leading electric vehicles services provider Better Place, Ontario now has eight charging stations serviced and ready to go. In addition, the company has opened an electric car demonstration and education centre in Toronto in order to establish further electric cars running on Ontario's roads.
Incentives are also being put forward to encourage Ontarians to purchase plug-in cars. Consumers who purchase plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles after July 1, 2010 will be offered a rebate, ranging from $5,000 up to $8,500. Furthermore, green licence plates are also available to those behind the wheel of electric vehicles to use carpool lanes, whether there is more than one person in the vehicle or not.
It is estimated that for every 10,000 electric vehicles on the road, there will be 40,000 tonnes less of CO2 polluting the air annually. This is equivalent to taking 8,500 gasoline-fueled cars off the road.