The Ontario Trucking Industry - Environmentally Friendly Improvements

According to the Ontario government 30 percent of the province’s total greenhouse gas emissions are caused by transportation. As the world faces the potential threat of global warming, Canadians are not only concerned about the negative effects of environmental pollution; they are ready to take action. Provincial environmental groups have been working hard to reduce and eliminate the harmful pollutants that threaten the atmosphere, and in recent years many environmentally friendly changes have been made in regards to the Ontario trucking industry.

New Plan Encourages Alternative Transportation Methods

Leading the way in the reduction of vehicle pollution, the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) and the nonprofit organization Pollution Probe formed a partnership and implemented a three-point plan. The plan encourages alternative transportation methods to reduce fuel consumption, and the improvement of roads and highways that will allow for a smoother flow of traffic.

CTA Introduces EnviroTruck Program

The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) represents nearly 5,000 trucking companies across Canada, and introduced the enviroTruck program in the effort to make the trucking industry more environmentally friendly. The program provides financial incentives that have made it possible for trucking companies across Canada to make environmentally friendly improvements, such as the addition of including low rolling resistance tires and anti-idling technologies.

OTA Works to Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) has accepted technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve fuel efficiency and has supported the CTA enviroTruck initiative. Many truck companies have added in-cab heaters or auxiliary power units that provide separate heat and air conditioning to their fleet. The separate heating and cooling units reduce the need for continuous engine running during the hot and cold months. The Ontario Trucking Association’s efforts to improve fuel efficiency and the reduce smog emissions have helped to lower greenhouse gas emissions, and has ultimately reduced the trucking industry’s greenhouse gas footprint.

Prentice Announces Governmental Changes

On May 21, 2010 Canadian minister of the environment, Jim Prentice, announced that the Canadian and U.S. governments are making changes in greenhouse gas emission regulations for heavy-duty trucks. The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) was pleased by the announcement and Senior Vice President, Stephen Laskowski, stated that he hopes the changes will eventually help to reduce fuel costs for trucking companies.

Ontario legislature successfully implemented new mandatory speed limiters on heavy trucks. The electronic speed limiters reduce the speed of transports to 105 kilometers per hour, saving approximately 100 million liters of fuel per year. This fuel reduction will lower greenhouse gas emissions by 280,000 tonnes each year.