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Canada plans to match U.S. fuel economy standards |
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The Canadian government will adopt the country’s first mandatory fuel economy standards to match or even exceed the adopted U.S. standard of 35 mpg by 2020. Meanwhile, several provinces have already announced to follow the stricter Californian emission rules.
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2008-01-18
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On 17 January, Canadian Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon announced that the government will start consultations with automotive, environmental and other stakeholders as part of the country's commitment to implement national fuel economy regulation for new cars and light trucks. Starting with the 2011 model year, the "made-in-Canada" standards will set a target at least as stringent as the U.S. federal standards. This would mean that all new cars in Canada would have to achieve a minimum of 35 miles per gallon (mpg), or 15 km per litre, by 2020. This, Cannon estimates, would produce less greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than about 93% of all vehicles listed in the 2008 Fuel Consumption Guide achieve today.
The Canadian government is under heavy pressure to replace voluntary fuel economy targets with legislation. Under the voluntary Memorandum of Understanding signed by carmakers in 2005, fuel economy has remained at 27 mpg. At the same time, cars and light trucks alone account for 12% of Canada’s GHG emissions, with transport sector emissions having increased continuously over the last two decades.
Several Canadian provinces will follow strict California rules
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Though acknowledged by many as a significant step into the right direction, the federal proposal has already come under fire from environmental groups and leading politicians as being unambitious and too slow. As a first reaction, several Canadian provinces announced not to follow the federal standards but mirror instead a more stringent plan proposed by the U.S. State California. Quebec Premier Jean Charest told reporters that the province would continue to push for the adoption of significant greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets at the federal level following the California rules. Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia, announced to set own standards if the federal government lags behind. This would be in line with dozens of Canadian provinces and U.S. states representing half of the North American population who want quicker, tougher standards, Campbell argued.
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In December 2007, Quebec had adopted as the first Canadian province the California standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars by 30% by 2016, starting from 2010. It was followed by Manitoba while Ontario, the heart of Canada's auto industry, remains opposed to it. A recent study had shown that California’s emission law would result in fuel economy standards of up to 44 mpg by 2020.
Next steps
The Canadian government is seeking input from stakeholders by 15 March, 2008. Following consultations, it will publish draft regulations in the Canada Gazette to be followed by a 90-day comment and review period. Final regulation is expected by the end of 2008 to come into force for the 2011 model year.
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More information:
› Speech Transport Minister Cannon, 17 January 2008
› Transport Canada Issue Brief: Motor Vehicle Consumption Regulations
› Read the article: "Canada, to end "era of voluntary compliance", 28 Feb 2007
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