Harper Government Takes Next Step to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Heavy-Duty Vehicles

BOUCHERVILLE, QC, April 13, 2012 /CNW/ - Today the Honourable Peter Kent, Canada's Environment Minister, announced proposed regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from new on-road heavy-duty vehicles.

These proposed regulations would reduce emissions from the whole range of on-road heavy-duty vehicles and engines, including large pick-up trucks, short/long-haul tractors, cement and garbage trucks, buses, and more, for the 2014 model year and beyond. They would allow the Government of Canada to continue establishing emission standards and test procedures that are aligned with those of the United States. 

"Canada and the United States have a deeply integrated automotive industry and there are significant environmental and economic benefits to aligning our emission standards for new on-road heavy-duty vehicles," said Minister Kent. "Today's announcement means that, by the year 2020, greenhouse gas emissions from Canada's heavy-duty vehicles will be reduced by 3 million tonnes per year. This is equivalent to removing 650,000 personal vehicles from the road."

As a result of implementing the proposed standards, it is anticipated that greenhouse gas emissions from 2018 heavy-duty vehicles will be reduced by up to 23 percent from those sold in 2010.

Reducing emissions from the transportation sector is an important part of the Government of Canada's overall climate change strategy, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent from 2005 levels by 2020.

Canada has already worked closely with the United States to establish common North American standards for greenhouse gas emissions regulations for light-duty vehicles for the 2011-2016 model years, and is working towards proposed regulations for model years 2017 and beyond.

The proposed on-road heavy-duty vehicle regulations will be published on the Canada Gazette Web site on April 13, 2012, and in print in Canada Gazette Part I on April 14, 2012.

Adam Sweet
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441

Media Relations
Environment Canada
819-934-8008

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(Également offert en français)