ON: Ontario Proposes New Green Commercial Vehicle Program

In September, the Ontario Government released a draft proposal for an updated Green Commercial Vehicle Program (GCVP). While the previous version of this program (2008-10) included propane vehicles, this new proposal has initially only included electric and natural gas vehicles, as well as various fuel efficiency technologies. The CPA is working to ensure this program includes propane vehicles.

Subsequent to the release of the draft proposal, the propane industry has mobilized to push for the inclusion of propane vehicles. Actions taken include submissions made to the Ministry of Transportation as part of the consultation process, meetings with key government officials, and participation in information sessions.

The CPA lodged its submission with the government on October 6. The submission shows that propane vehicles must have a place in the GCVP, based on evidence that propane’s emissions reduction potential is greater than other vehicle fuel options, particularly in light-to-medium transportation classes. The submission sets out a case that availability of propane technology and infrastructure, as well as the low cost for fleets adopting propane as a fuel, mean that propane can have an immediate impact on Ontario’s GHG reduction targets. Electric vehicles, in particular, are still some years away from being able to fulfil commercial vehicle needs on a large scale.

After the release of the draft proposal, CPA representatives met with a number of government officials to discuss the case for propane’s inclusion. CPA President and CEO Nathalie St-Pierre and Director of Government Relations, Ontario  Peter Maddox met with: Jonathan Sweeney-Bergen, Senior Policy Advisor to Minister of Transportation; Michael Harris, M.P.P. & Transportation Critic for PC Caucus; Phillip Donelson, Senior Policy Advisor (Energy) to the Premier; Arthur Potts, M.P.P. & Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change; and Mitchell Davidson, Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs to the Leader of the Official Opposition. The meetings were productive, and while there is more work to be done, commitments have been gained that the place of propane in the program will be revisited. 

The CPA thanks all member companies who have participated in the consultation process through submissions, attendance at meetings, outreach to government and the sharing of data on propane’s advantages.