WINNIPEG, Man. — A Manitoba-based trucking incentive program has been given the “GrEEEn” light to continue. Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation (MIT), together with the University of Manitoba Transport Institute and the Manitoba Trucking Association (MTA) have reintroduced the GrEEEn (Economically and Environmentally Efficient) program this fall.

The program offers incentives to companies and owner/operators to install various technological improvements that work to reduce vehicle emissions and fuel consumption. The announcement was made yesterday by Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Steve Ashton.

“We are pleased to continue to partner with the Manitoba government and appreciate the new support that will bring fuel-efficient options to more of the trucking industry,” said Bob Dolyniuk, executive director of the Manitoba Trucking Association. “The GrEEEn Trucking program has been a success in supporting our industry’s objective to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and this benefits not only the trucking industry, but also the community at large.”

The key objectives of the GrEEEn Trucking program are to further demonstrate provincial commitment to promoting technology and innovation as a way to reduce GHG emissions from the freight transportation sector and help the private sector, through financial incentives, implement GHG emission reduction technologies. Last year, $225,000 in funding leveraged $13 million in upgrades by local transportation companies.

Companies are eligible for rebates of up to 25%, to a maximum of $2,500 per tractor or trailer. Eligible upgrades include aerodynamics for tractor and trailer units such as side skirts and front fairings, low-rolling resistance tires, automatic tire-inflation devices and anti-idling technologies.

For more information on the program, visit www.gov.mb.ca/mit or www.greeentrucking.ca.