Rebates on Green Vehicles Could be Coming Soon to Businesses in Brampton

Published September 8, 2017 at 4:30 pm

If you run a local business in Brampton, you’re all about saving the environment, or you just like to speak up, the province is calling on you to provide some feedback on a new program that will ma

If you run a local business in Brampton, you’re all about saving the environment, or you just like to speak up, the province is calling on you to provide some feedback on a new program that will make it easier for businesses to own and operate greener vehicles – that is, vehicles that run on alternative fuel and fuel-saving technologies.

The new program is set to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the province by providing rebates towards the purchase of alternative-fuel vehicles and fuel-saving technologies. So, if you have some time, you’ll want to provide some comments on your viewpoint.

What exactly is feedback sought on?

More specifically, anyone who provides feedback will contribute to the Green Commercial Vehicle Program design, eligibility criteria, application and funding process, data collection, and innovation pilots. The program is posted for public review and will be open for comment until October 6, 2017.

“Creating a low-carbon economy is vital to the province’s continued economic success. The Green Commercial Vehicle Program will help businesses invest in fuel-saving technologies that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Daiene Vernile, parliamentary assistance to the minister of transportation. “We’re committed to working with our partners and local businesses to modernize the way we do business and keep Ontario an attractive and sustainable place to work.”

According to the province, the goal here is to help businesses buy low-carbon vehicles and technologies that reduce emissions and foster sustainable development.

Climate change is a huge factor here, and this investment in rebates is part of the province’s Climate Change Action Plan. Climate change is indeed worrisome when it comes to transportation and business – in fact, greenhouse gas emissions from road-based movement of freight in Ontario have doubled from 1990 to 2014.

That being said, the program is funded by proceeds from the province’s cap on pollution and carbon market.

The Climate Change Action Plan and carbon market play a major role in Ontario’s strategy to cut greenhouse gas pollution. The province aims to cut pollution to 15 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020, 37 per cent by 2030 and 80 per cent by 2050.

The government will report on the plan’s implementation annually and review the plan at least every five years.

Here are some of the vehicles and devices that are being considered under this program in particualr: electric and natural gas-powered trucks, aerodynamic devices, anti-idling devices and trailer refrigeration units.

Low-carbon vehicles have been all the range across the province and municipalities for some time now under the Liberal government.

“The program will encourage more businesses to make the switch to low-carbon vehicles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, a sector that generates about a third of Ontario’s total greenhouse gas emissions,” said the province in a statement.

To participate in the survey, click here.

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