Topic: Your hybrid is green no more.

[EV Dan]

There is fresh green and there is yesterday's green. It now appears the iconic Prius is the latter, until sold with a plug:

http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/720795--ontario-unveils-green-licence-plate-for-eco-friendly-vehicles?bn=1

Just this morning I was told there will be green plates for "hybrids" and I of course frowned at the idea of giving a highway line to a vehicle with roughly the same hw mileage as say a TDI. Turns out I underestimated the local government. Well, everything happens for the first time.
It really is a great way to promote EVs, by not only offering a few perks but making them a whole 'notha level with these plates.

Ontario is introducing a "green" licence plate next year for "environmentally friendly vehicles."

But don't expect to see the plates everywhere just yet because they're for plug-in hybrids and battery-only powered cars, and those aren't really on the road – save perhaps for the rare deep-pocketed driver who can shell out $100,000 for a Tesla Motors-made electric car.

General Motors is set to roll out its Chevrolet Volt car, and Toyota is also planning a plug-in version of its Prius, both far less pricey.

When the cars do hit the road, drivers who get the plates will be allowed to travel in high occupancy vehicle lanes until 2015 – even if there's only one person inside.

There'll also be access to recharging facilities at GO Transit and other provincially operated lots, and parking spots will be set aside at places like Wal-Mart shopping centres and the University of Toronto.

"The McGuinty government's plan is to have one out of every 20 passenger vehicles on Ontario's roads (be) an electric vehicle by 2020. Green licence plates will encourage Ontarians to think green when choosing a vehicle," Transportation Minister Jim Bradley said in a statement this week.

Most plug-in hybrids can only travel between about 64 and 80 kilometres on a single battery charge and can be charged from a standard home electrical source.

The new plate program won't include standard gas/electric hybrid vehicles that are already for sale and on the road, and which offer better mileage.

The plate, which features a green border and lettering on a white background, with a trillium, is expected to be available as part of Ontario's Electric Vehicle initiative, which begins July 1.

[Shnak]

Why isn't the Volt considered a hybrid? Afterall, it has a gas engine...

[MKII]

CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Wed. Jul. 15 2009 2:33 PM ET



http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090708/electric_ontario_090714/20090714?s_name=Autos

The Ontario government plans to rev up Ontario drivers' interest in electric cars by offering up to $10,000 in cash incentives to drivers who buy the cars.

Under a plan announced today by Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, drivers will receive rebates of between $4,000 and $10,000 for plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles purchased after July 1, 2010.


I guess Canadian press is not aware that Ford is rolling out a feww BEV/ plug in Hybrids vehicles for MY2011, Focus, Transit, Escape

[toolatecrew]

I think governments have this whole ting backwards. Instead of offering incentives to people so that they can buy high priced early version Evs why not offer a large carrot to manufactures who actually produce AFFORDABLE EVS.

Arther than saying we will give you 10 K (to reduce the price to 30 K) and a special liscence plate to the limited number of people who would actually buy a Volt. How about "we'll give 5 years tax free status to any manufacturing plant that builds a sub 20K EV?

You need to have low cost affordable Evs available in order to drive volume. Not drive low volumes with early adopters and HOPE that manufactures get the costs down eventually.

[EV Dan]

Its good the government is doing something in the right direction. There is one inconvenient question though. How many thousand dollars should anybody who doesn't have any car, bikes to work and occasionally uses public transit receive?

[tpl]

Its good the government is doing something in the right direction. There is one inconvenient question though. How many thousand dollars should anybody who doesn't have any car, bikes to work and occasionally uses public transit receive?

nothing!    Well maybe $10 worth of paint to mark some bike lanes and the odd inconvenient bus stop.

Remember Dan, If you don't drive you are not paying gas taxes , licence fees and parking costs and the odd fine so you are not helping the economy.   

[toolatecrew]

Its good the government is doing something in the right direction. There is one inconvenient question though. How many thousand dollars should anybody who doesn't have any car, bikes to work and occasionally uses public transit receive?

nothing!    Well maybe $10 worth of paint to mark some bike lanes and the odd inconvenient bus stop.

Remember Dan, If you don't drive you are not paying gas taxes , licence fees and parking costs and the odd fine so you are not helping the economy.   

Actually there may be more truth to this than you think.

Its true cycling ios better for the environment. However as you said cyclisits pay no liscence fees, they pay no gas taxes. They effectivley get to use the road infrastructure for FREE. The infrastructure they use is paid for and maintained via reveue from automobiles.

Public transportation in many cases does not represent the true cost of said service. Its subsidized by government/taxes. People who take the bus are already getting a "rebate" in the form of a fare that is less than what the ture cost might be.

For example making bus service in Halfiax will not particularly icrease useage. Increasing service will make a difference. Here the second largest destination Burnside industrial park has totally inadequate bus service. It doesn't even run at the hours when many riders need it. lots of call centers with late  night hours. Low income riders . Yet the buses don't run there. Lowering the prices won't help. People will drive berause it takes them 4 times as long to take the bus or there is no bus that meets the schedule. Making the price less makes no difference.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I'm only paying $59/month for a transit pass. I'd have to pay a minimum $120/month just for parking downtown, let alone gas etc. It's an income tax deduction too, which is nice.

[airbalancer]

I'm only paying $59/month for a transit pass. I'd have to pay a minimum $120/month just for parking downtown, let alone gas etc. It's an income tax deduction too, which is nice.

Do they double the price of parking downtown when it -50 out and you have wait  an hour at the bus stop

[inco]

I'm only paying $59/month for a transit pass. I'd have to pay a minimum $120/month just for parking downtown, let alone gas etc. It's an income tax deduction too, which is nice.

Get your people to talk to our people - we are facing another increase in fares and the new pass is going to be about $120!