It may have started with hybrid tax credits and California's hybrid carpool lane stickers, but Ontario is taking the whole governmental green car incentive thing to the next level. The Toronto Star reports that the provincial government has unveiled a plan to issue "green" license plates to drivers of environmentally-friendly cars. Vehicles that qualify for the "eco-plates" will enjoy special perks, which could include free parking and access to commuter lanes. "Now we're saying we're going to also put some more factors on that table to help you make a decision that's good for your family and good for the environment," Environment Minister Laurel Broten told a news conference. Minister Broten will consult with carmakers and environmental groups to decide which vehicles qualify for the new plates. Now that ought to be an interesting meeting.
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Unfortunately, as reported by the Star today, Ohio has a plan for green plates as well, but they are to go on cars belonging to sex offenders.
I saw a Prius driving around here in Colorado the other day with a fancy looking Arizona plate. The back-drop was a blue sky with white puffy (smug) clouds and the plate proclaimed that the vehicle it was affixed to was powered by an alternate fuel. Correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t 100% of the Prius’s power come from gasoline? I also wonder if the Ontario plates will be put on VW TDi’s and other efficient diesels which are more energy efficient than most hybrids, but don’t carry the in-your-face superiority complex associated with hybrid cars.
I wonder if these cars would have to undergo an biannual smug test?
All of the news you hear from now until November about Ontario cleaning up the environment, needs to be taken with a grain of salt. There is a provincial election looming and the general public (as far as i can tell) are not that happy with the allocation of monies of the current provincial goverment, and therefore the Liberals are going to promise the world knowing that a) the aren’t going to get elected and as the official opposition will be able to say ‘but we promised all this chang!’ or b) if they get elected say ‘oh turns out we don’t have the money for that, we gave it away to the criket players’
I agree with cgraham. It’s all smoke and mirrors with the government of Ontario.
While we’re at it, we might want to ask them why they fired every last one of their engineers responsible for alternative fuels research at the Ministry of Transportation ten years ago and disbanded that department.
N85523
Those plates started with a scam they used to have, the “alternative fuel” comes from lots of PU trucks and SUV’s that were sold with big tax credits and the “alternative fuel” was a little propane tank. Technically they could be run either on gasoline or propane, no one ever ran them on propane but they all pocketed the tax incentive and got the blue plates to run the HOV lanes even with a single occupant.
The politicians and their friends wanted the perk and a politically connected family made a bundle slapping the tanks on.
When people caught on to it and the sh*t hit the fan they had to cancel the deal and I guess they had a bunch of plates left over, so now they call them “energy efficient” plates.
Unfortunately, as reported by the Star today, Ohio has a plan for green plates as well, but they are to go on cars belonging to sex offenders.
Holy cow… is the Government of Ontario now commenting on the extracurricular activities of Prius drivers? Dalton McGuinty better watch his behind. I hear Toyota Canada has a nasty ‘Public Affairs’ department!!
N85523: Correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t 100% of the Prius’s power come from gasoline?
No. It, doesn’t.
In addition to being charged by the gasoline-powered engine, the battery that operates the Prius’s electric motor can be, and is, charged by REGENERATIVE BRAKING.
Consider yourself corrected, N85523.
Shameless pandering from yet another incompetent Ontario Provincial government. The Libs will be turfed from office next election, and this poorly conceived election plank will be tits up.
Ontario energy policy has been an embarrassing mishmash for successive governments of every political stripe, but at present it is unconscionable.
My province has a small window of opportunity to rationalize its energy needs across the board.
Amory Lovins will likely be too busy after Bush… and would probably jump at the opportunity to have a large scale test case to demonstrate what sweeping energy rationalization can do to address the looming energy crisis. Profitably (in the private sector)–or with positive economic consequences (for the public sector).
peace……..oot
N85523: Correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t 100% of the Prius’s power come from gasoline?
Johnster: No. It, doesn’t…. REGENERATIVE BRAKING
Ummm… Johnster… unless the tooth fairy pushed the Prius up to the top of the hill, or accelerated it to speed, the original energy source was the vehicle’s gasoline engine.
Capturing the energy normally wasted in braking through regenerative braking is one of the claimed advantages of hybrid electrics, but keep in mind the energy conversion efficiency is far from 100%. For this priviledge, you are lugging around the weight of a battery pack, assorted motors, power inverters and cabling (on top of the weight of an engine, transmission, axle shafts and fuel tank).
Mr. Newton says there ain’t no free lunch ;-)
Mechie: Ummm… Johnster… unless the tooth fairy pushed the Prius up to the top of the hill, or accelerated it to speed, the original energy source was the vehicle’s gasoline engine.
The original energy source was, indeed, the vehicle’s gasoline engine. However, N85523’s question was “doesn’t 100% of the Prius’s power come from gasoline?” to which the answer is, “NO!”
No one is arguing about all the extra weight or the inefficiency of the energy conversion from regenerative braking. Regenerative braking still contributes (to small degree) to powering the Toyota Prius by helping to recharge its batteries. 100% of the Toyota Prius’s does NOT come from gasoline.
No, the lunch isn’t free, but this cuisine may well become more popular in the future as the technology is refined and developed further. It’s something of an acquired taste and not to everyone’s liking, but as long Toyota offers it and people are buying it…
Bon appetit!
Hello Ontario viewers,
I am attaching our 2 latest news stories regarding our recycled plastic milk jug environmental campaign, just click the links
for NBC
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3734450051240541255
for Hometown News
http://www.myhometownnews.net/index.php?id=30654
You see, we started a campaign to raise proceeds for ‘front-line’ Environmental Foundations, and at the same time expose Recycled Plastic Lumber to the public, a product derived from their recycling efforts.
Not only is it all that but it’s a Bright Natural Green that doesn’t need an introduction.
Please visit the web-site, http://www.mygreenlicenseplate.com , and contact me so that we can discuss opportunities.
Cordially,
William Djubin
Founder
EarthRehab
w1@earthrehab.com