Consultations Begin for Canada's First Motor Vehicle Fuel Consumption Regs
February 7, 2008 // Published as a news service by IHS
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For the first time, Canada will regulate the fuel consumption of new cars and light trucks, beginning with the 2011 model year.
As a result, consultations are underway with automotive, environmental and other stakeholders as part of the government's commitment to implement national fuel regulations for motor vehicles.
"We made a commitment to implement fuel consumption regulations for the 2011 model year that are benchmarked against a stringent, dominant North American standard, and we are keeping our word," said Canada's Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Lawrence Cannon.
"Our government recognizes that the transportation sector is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas [GHG] and air pollutant emissions in Canada, accounting for 25% of all Canada's GHG emissions.
"That's why we are taking action now to make sure that into the future, we have the most environmentally responsible cars and trucks on Canadian roads."
In 2006, the combined (car and light truck) new vehicle fleet average fuel consumption was approximately 8.6 liters (L)/100 kilometers (km) in Canada.
This is equivalent to 27 miles per gallon (mpg). The regulations will prescribe a standard designed to maximize the environmental and economic benefits for Canada. The federal government will closely monitor the work of the U.S. government toward establishing an environmentally ambitious North American regulatory standard for cars and light-duty trucks.
"The U.S. Congress has set an ambitious target of 35 miles per gallon [mpg] - or 6.7 liters [L]/100 kilometers [km] - for the average fuel economy of vehicles sold in 2020," said Cannon. "We welcome the U.S. goal, but are committed to developing made-in-Canada standards that achieve - at minimum - that same target in Canada. The consultations ahead will be key to delivering the standard."
Cannon said this means that the government will regulate by the 2011 model year. "By 2020, the average new vehicle sold in Canada will have a fuel consumption better than some of today's hybrid cars and produce fewer GHG emissions than approximately 93% of all vehicle entries listed in the 2008 Fuel Consumption Guide."
Consultations on the development of the fuel consumption regulations will include the automotive industry, environmental non-governmental organizations, provinces and territories and other stakeholders. All interested parties are encouraged to review the brief and submit their views in writing to Transport Canada (TC) no later than March 15, 2008.
Following consultations, Canada will publish draft regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part I. This will be followed by a 90-day comment and review period to provide a formal opportunity for Canadians to respond. Officials will then review the comments in order to develop final regulations. It is anticipated that these final regulations will be published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, by the end of 2008. The regulations will come into force for the 2011 model year.
Source: Transport Canada (TC).