Ontario unveils 'green' licence plate for eco-friendly vehicles

Donovan Vincent
Staff Reporter

Ontario is introducing a "green" licence plate next year for "environmentally friendly vehicles."

But don't expect to see the plates everywhere just yet because they're for plug-in hybrids and battery-only powered cars, and those aren't really on the road – save perhaps for the rare deep-pocketed driver who can shell out $100,000 for a Tesla Motors-made electric car.

General Motors is set to roll out its Chevrolet Volt car, and Toyota is also planning a plug-in version of its Prius, both far less pricey.

When the cars do hit the road, drivers who get the plates will be allowed to travel in high occupancy vehicle lanes until 2015 – even if there's only one person inside.

There'll also be access to recharging facilities at GO Transit and other provincially operated lots, and parking spots will be set aside at places like Wal-Mart shopping centres and the University of Toronto.

"The McGuinty government's plan is to have one out of every 20 passenger vehicles on Ontario's roads (be) an electric vehicle by 2020. Green licence plates will encourage Ontarians to think green when choosing a vehicle," Transportation Minister Jim Bradley said in a statement this week.

Most plug-in hybrids can only travel between about 64 and 80 kilometres on a single battery charge and can be charged from a standard home electrical source.

The new plate program won't include standard gas/electric hybrid vehicles that are already for sale and on the road, and which offer better mileage.

The plate, which features a green border and lettering on a white background, with a trillium, is expected to be available as part of Ontario's Electric Vehicle initiative, which begins July 1.