February 21, 2005

Canada needs new fuel efficiency rules for vehicles, Pollution Probe says 
New report shows that effective options are available

Toronto, ON — Pollution Probe has released a new in-depth report today outlining the options Canada can pursue to develop a new fuel efficiency standard for automobiles sold in Canada. Improved fuel efficiency would help meet our international commitment to reduce greenhouse gases under the Kyoto Protocol — a commitment which became binding on February 16, 2005.

The new report describes several ways that Canada can design a new, tougher standard to improve auto fuel efficiency in order to achieve the target presented in the Climate Change Plan for Canada — a 25 per cent improvement in vehicle fuel efficiency by 2010. It also outlines options for the design of a standard that would bring efficient and greenhouse gas emission-reducing technologies onto the market. The target can be met through cost-effective technologies that are available today.

Improving fuel efficiency is one of the most effective ways to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, with the added benefit of reducing air pollution generated locally and regionally. The federal government has been examining fuel efficiency standards and has promised to announce in coming days how Canada will meet its commitments under Kyoto.

“It’s not a question of whether we can do this in Canada. We can. It’s a question of how soon we can get on with the job and develop a standard that can work to reduce greenhouse gases and pollution,” Pollution Probe’s Executive Director Ken Ogilvie said.

Ogilvie noted that Canadian consumers are already buying more fuel efficient vehicles than their American counterparts. The new standard would reinforce that trend and ensure that industry provides the fuel efficient vehicles needed to meet the target. Progress has been made on fuel efficiency standards in Europe, Japan, Australia, China and even the United States (where several states are taking or planning initiatives even though the U.S. is not participating in Kyoto). There is no reason why Canada cannot join these leaders in developing a standard to promote the purchase of fuel efficient vehicles.

The report is available on Pollution Probe’s website at www.pollutionprobe.org/Publications/Air.htm.  

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For more information:

Mary Pattenden, Director, Climate Change Program

Pollution Probe

(416) 926-1907 x243