Ontario offers incentive for carriers to drive cleaner

TORONTO, (Jan. 6, 2004) — Some of Ontario’s cleanest heavy-duty trucking fleets got a break last week by the Drive Clean folks at the Ontario Ministry of the Environment.

The Government of Ontario, at the recommendation of the Minister’s Advisory Committee — which includes such groups as Ontario Trucking Association, Pollution Probe, the Lung Association, and the Canadian Automobile Association — introduced changes to the Drive Clean program. While the government is tightening the emission test standards for trucks, it will also allow owners of trucks that go above and beyond the new benchmarks to register their vehicles every two years instead of annually.

The new emissions standards for all heavy-duty diesel vehicles (currently 40 per cent opacity for 1991 and newer vehicles, and 55 per cent opacity for 1990 and older vehicles) will be tightened to 35 per cent for 1991 and newer vehicles, and to 45 per cent opacity for 1990 and older vehicles in 2004. The standards will be further reduced in 2005 where 1991 and newer vehicles must meet 30 per cent opacity levels, and 40 per cent for 1990 and older vehicles.

However, heavy-duty diesel vehicles having a scheduled test for registration renewal, which surpass (are equal to or lower than) the standard of 20 per cent opacity will be exempted from an emissions test in the following year. Vehicles that meet the Drive Clean standard but still emit opacity greater than 20 per cent will continue to require tests annually.

The OTA says, based on historical test data, the incentive program will save the trucking industry close to $11 million dollars by 2010.