enviroTruck Starts its Engine in British Columbia

Fraser Basin Council creates first incentive program built on CTA concept

(Ottawa: Jan. 25, 2008) - The Canadian Trucking Alliance’s enviroTruck initiative, designed to accelerate the penetration of new smog-free heavy truck engines and greenhouse gas fighting/fuel efficiency technologies and devices in the trucking industry, is becoming a reality in British Columbia.

Since the enviroTruck initiative was first unveiled by CTA in the fall of 2007, the BC Trucking Association has been actively promoting the concept with local governments and other stakeholders. BC Trucking Association’s effort has paid off. The Fraser Basin Council has announced a new incentive under its Green Fleets BC program to encourage the BC trucking sector to adopt emission reduction technologies. The Council is a non-profit organization, with board representation from all orders of government (including First Nations), business and community groups, that focuses on today’s sustainability issues.

According to the Council, the trucking industry in BC needs an opportunity to judge how newer engines, aerodynamic enhancements, anti-idling units, high-tech tires and other devices can help cut smog and greenhouse gas emissions without eating up fuel budgets. Their incentive program is designed to stop telling and start showing just what an enviroTruck can do.

“Thanks to the hard work of BC Trucking Association and the foresight of the Province of British Columbia the enviroTruck initiative has gone from concept to reality,” said CTA CEO David Bradley. “CTA will continue to lobby the federal government and work with provincial associations to encourage other provincial governments to follow the BC example,” said Bradley.

Up to $10,000 per vehicle is available for a vehicle that meets the Fraser Basin Council’s enviroTruck standard, to a total of $70,000 for the entire program. Results may lead to bigger things, given that the focus of the program is not only to get enviroTrucks off the drawing board and onto the road, but also to demonstrate fuel and cost savings to the industry. Program participants will provide monthly usage statistics and comments on their experience with their enviroTruck, including its combination of components. The Council will be accepting applications now until February 15, 2008.

“It’s a modest start but a significant step in the right direction which we are hopeful can be built upon over time," said Bradley. "It would also be very helpful if Transport Canada were to step-up to the plate."

For more about CTA’s enviroTruck program, visit: http://www.cantruck.com/envirotruck/index.html

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