SASKATOON, Sask. –The Government of Canada is offering to pick up the tab for a million bucks in environmental upgrades for the heavy-duty trucking industry.

The government announced the program Sept. 10, which will allow fleets to apply for up to $100,000 in funding to put towards proven fuel-saving devices such as aerodynamic devices and low rolling-resistance tires. Up to 50% of the cost of eligible fuel-saving devices will be refunded under the program.

Eligible products must be EPA SmartWay-certified and funding will come from Canada’s ecoENERGY for Fleets program, which is administered by Natural Resources Canada.

“Fuel efficiency in all sectors is important to our economy and the environment,” Brad Trost, MP for Saskatoon-Humboldt, announced on behalf of Lisa Raitt, Minister of Natural Resources. “By investing in fuel efficiency we will help the industry reduce fuel costs and contribute to a cleaner Canada.”

Not surprisingly, the trucking industry welcomed the announcement, but Canadian Trucking Alliance chief David Bradley hopes it’s just the beginning of things to come.

“While this is a step in the right direction, the industry is still looking for a coordinated, dedicated program of rebates and appropriate tax treatments for all the aerodynamic technologies available to the industry,” said Bradley. “While there have been small programs here and there, what is lacking is a cohesive, targeted plan to achieve meaningful emissions reductions and improved fuel efficiency for industry that these technologies can make happen. Society’s environmental goals and the economic goals of the industry have never been more aligned.”

To find out more about the program, visit fleetsmart.gc.ca .

Meanwhile, the Manitoba Trucking Association (MTA) is now accepting applications for the second phase of its GrEEEn (Economic, and Environmentally Efficient) Trucking Program.

The GrEEEn Trucking program offers incentives on green technologies, such as low rolling resistance tires, aerodynamic tractors and trailers, trailer side skirts, auxiliary power units, and tractor-trailer gap fairings.

The MTA, together with Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation, the Centre for Sustainable Transportation, and the University of Manitoba Transport Institute, launched the program’s first phase in the spring.

Participants are required to invest a minimum of $2,000 in technologies to be eligible for rebates. These rebates range from 15% up to 25% (maximum $2,500 per unit) of the company’s capital investment.

For more information, visit www.grEEEntrucking.ca.