Comments on: Ontario signals to automakers, and consumers, that it’s serious about electric cars

By: Peak oil , Nissan’s LEAF and why Ontario is doing the right thing | AvailableGreenEnergy

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:56:52 +0000

[...] announcing this subsidy –valued at between $4,000 and $10,000, depending on the vehicle — but we really have no choice. The Americans and British each have their own competitive subsidy, for one. And the fact is, we [...]

By: admin

admin — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:08:17 +0000

In 2008 we already saw that 78 per cent of OPG’s power generation was emission-free. With the shutdown of coal plants by 2014 and the gradually reduction in natural gas dependence leading up to 2020 the 90-per-cent target won’t be difficult.

By: Scott

Scott — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:53:03 +0000

90% emissions free electricity in Ontario by 2020? Great idea! But, how?!

By: Envirowatcher

Envirowatcher — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:14:10 +0000

Change is coming and I believe this initiative will help Ontario get a foot up on the future evolution. Change needs leadership and this is initiatve shows good foresight by our Government. The general public are not tuned into how, and how soon, the way we use energy will change. The Oil Age has peaked. The informed predict major energy changes are on our door step. Electric vehicles will be able to satisfy the needs of many users in the future.

By: Nothing in Canada?

Nothing in Canada? — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:52:36 +0000

Why are there no Canadian companies involved? Maybe they are too smart to buy into this crap.

Dalton is leading Ontario over the financial cliff, budget pressures in future years due to bad management and reckless over-spending will be incredible. See California for the future of Ontario. High taxes and elimination of most Government Programs presently in force will be on the table, as the Budget will likely have to be slashed in half.

So any “Programs” announced with so much fanfare recently will just have to be canceled by a future Conservative Government. I would not count on any of these “initiatives” being around in a few years.

Just as well, as Government’s only know how to waste money. If there was a case to be made for any of this in the real world outside of delusional Government supported dreamers, it would be built without Government incentives or aid. An “industry” that depends on Government largesse to survive is not sustainable nor a good investment.

We need a lot of Government to disappear, it has no reason to exist except self-perpetuation.

By: Darklamp

Darklamp — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:41:45 +0000

I agree with you ClaudeB. There seems to be missing a master plan. I personally see the connection with the renewable energy incentive and this electric car incentive. Ideally, you can be receiving 80 cents a kWh to fuel your electric car with a PV panel.

But does Ontario see the synergies? I just hope they are not justifying the 26 Billion dollars for nuclear power to power this new electric vehicle demand.

By: Jay

Jay — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:32:33 +0000

I’m not really sure about the value of this incentive. If the goal is to help promote local markets for electric vehicle, there are cheaper steps and more useful actions that could be taken (like allowing the use of low-speed electric vehicles). If the goal is to reduce transportation emissions, then it would be better to provide incentives based on performance rather than on technology (which the ecoAuto and the provincial equivalent already do).

By: ClaudeB

ClaudeB — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:56:39 +0000

Don’t misread me, but the flurry of announcements in the last few months by the McGuinty government makes me a bit queasy. From my standpoint (a place east of Ontario) all I see here in this rush to announce something, anything.

They may have their heart in the right place, but he Ontario government looks somewhat disorganized. Is there a master plan with a clear objective and quantifiable targets past 2014?

By: kevin legrand

kevin legrand — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:04:14 +0000

This is a very good idea. Rebates, specified lanes for efficient cars, 1 in 20 cars electric by 2020, a reliable charging network.

McGuinty is tearing it up. U.S. and maybe even Germany some day, take heed.

By: Daniel Quinn

Daniel Quinn — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:58:31 +0000

It’s interesting that this post follows your $10k/kw article regarding nuclear power. The question must be posed: if we switch to electric cars, from where will that power be generated?