Ontario government seeks feedback on proposed rebates

TORONTO, ON – The Government of Ontario is seeking input on a proposed program that will provide rebates to fleets towards the purchase of alternative-fuel trucks and fuel-saving technologies.

The Green Commercial Vehicle program (GCVP), a part of the Ontario Climate Change Action Plan introduced in 2016, would provide up to $170 million for electric and natural gas-powered commercial vehicles, infrastructure and temperature controlled trailer technology – as well as tractor-trailer aerodynamic devices and anti-idling devices.

Part of the program proposes rebates of 15%-50% on fuel-efficient vehicles, or the technologies to make existing vehicles more fuel-efficient.

The government is seeking industry input online from those who want to weigh-in on the proposed program’s design, eligibility criteria, application and funding process, data collection, and possible pilot programs. Feedback for the program will be open until Oct. 6.

The Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) says the government has also proposed consultation sessions for industry insiders before the program is finalized, but has yet to hear details about when those will take place.

The program aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions being released by the movement of road freight in Ontario. The government says those emissions have doubled from 1990 to 2014.

The OTA says the guidelines for the program are similar to those recommended by them prior to the implementation of the Ontario carbon pricing system.

OTA president Stephen Laskowski says he applauds Ontario Minister of Transportation, Steven Del Duca, for reinvesting carbon pricing revenue paid by commercial motor carriers back into the trucking industry.

The full draft program can be viewed here.


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