Ontario government to issue green licence plates to drivers of clean cars

This was announced yesterday:

http://www.cbc.ca/cp/national/070808/n080815A.html

Ontario government to issue green licence plates to drivers of clean cars
Published: Wednesday, August 8, 2007 | 12:12 PM ET
Canadian Press

TORONTO (CP) - Ontario drivers who purchase environmentally friendly cars would get special incentives and a "green" licence plate as part of a new transportation plan being proposed by the province.

The government plans to consult with vehicle manufacturers and environmental groups to develop a rating system that identifies the cleanest cars, light trucks and commercial vehicles. Drivers of those vehicles would get a special green eco-licence plate, which would entitle them to special perks.

Transportation Minister Donna Cansfield says those perks haven't been determined yet and will be chosen during the consultation process.

But she says other jurisdictions have gone with things like free parking or special access to car-pool lanes.

The program is expected to be launched by spring 2008.

"This is another way of us helping Ontarians go green," said Environment Minister Laurel Broten.


Now we're saying we're going to also put some more factors on that table to help you make a decision that's good for your family and good for the environment."

The transportation plan also includes a $15-million pilot project to help businesses convert to more environmentally-friendly technologies like hybrid power.

Cansfield says some of that money will go toward making 1,000 medium-sized commercial vehicles run on clean energy.

Ontario will also beef up the use of cleaner fuel for its own fleet of vehicles by installing two new ethanol fuelling stations in London and Peterborough.

The new facilities could also be made available to municipal fleets once they're operational.

© The Canadian Press, 2007