TORONTO — Cherise Burda, Ontario policy director for the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to the Ontario government's announcement to kick-start the installation of electric car charging stations:
"Investing in clean transportation is a positive move by the Ontario government — it demonstrates a commitment to Ontario's green energy future and benefits all taxpayers by supporting transportation options that will reduce air pollution and help fight climate change.
"As the McGuinty government continues to phase-out Ontario's coal-fired power plants, transportation is the next important sector to tackle, since it accounts for one-third of Ontario's greenhouse gas pollution and represents the largest and fastest growing source of greenhouse gases in the province.
"Electric vehicles are an important solution to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and cutting Ontario's dependence on imported fuel, keeping money in the province and investing it in the clean tech sector.
"Increasing the number of charging stations available sends a clear signal to manufacturers and car buyers that electric vehicles are reliable and infrastructure is available.
"Today's announcement brings key Ontario policies together by making it easier for Ontarians to drive electric vehicles, while the coal phase-out helps to ensure those vehicles will be powered by clean energy. It is critical for Ontario to stay this course and ramp up green energy in the province."
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Contact:
Cherise Burda
Director, Ontario policy
Cell: 416-824-0256
Background:
- Ontario consumes a third of all the refined petroleum in Canada. More than 80 per cent of that oil is used by the transportation sector.
- Ontario spends $13.2 billion every year to import oil for its transportation sector.
- Personal transportation — how Ontarians get around every day — accounts for the majority of all transportation fuel consumed.
- If five per cent of Ontario's vehicles were electric by 2020, we could reduce fuel dependency by up to 4 million barrels of oil per year.
- Other key transportation policies in Ontario include implementing the Metrolinx Big Move transportation plan for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, which would save up to 5 million barrels of oil per year.
Source: Pembina Institute report, Bridging the Gulf
