Clean cars program helps build B.C.’s energy future

VICTORIA, BC

B.C. took a significant step toward a sustainable energy future with today’s announcement of $17 million in clean energy vehicle funding by Environment Minister Terry Lake and Energy and Mines Minister Rich Coleman.

"Cutting emissions from vehicles is essential if B.C. is to do its part to fight global warming", said Tom Hackney, the Vice-President for Policy of BC Sustainable Energy Association. "This is a bold step by government to make our transportation system more sustainable, and a bold step to foster B.C.’s high tech transportation industry."

"Government has a critical role to play in developing B.C.’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure," said Hackney. "Vehicles cause almost 40 percent of B.C.’s greenhouse gas emissions, so electrifying transportation must become a key part of our climate change plan. Going electric will offer British Columbians one of the most significant ways to control their own carbon footprint. But first we need a network of charging stations so that people will not be tied to their home base."

"Powering an electric car is a fraction the cost of powering a fossil fuel vehicle," Hackney added. "This is partly because electric vehicles are much more efficient to run, and partly because electricity is cheaper than liquid fuel. People can also expect savings in running costs because electric motors require less maintenance than fossil fuel engines. These cost savings will create a big dividend that can be used in several ways: to fund more electric charging stations, to fund the development of clean energy generation to power more electric vehicles, and to reduce to transportation costs for British Columbians."

Government’s point-of-sale incentives would put some 1,500 to 3,000 low or zero emission vehicles on the road.

"We urge the government to ramp up the scale of this program quickly," said Hackney. "This will also help to build B.C.’s green high-tech economy."

To see the government’s media release: http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2009-2013/2011ENV0060-001428.htm

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For more information, contact:
Tom Hackney 250-381-4463