TORONTO, June 7, 2013 /CNW/ - Global Automakers of Canada recognized federal Environment Minister Peter Kent's commitment to the adoption of new national regulations to improve fuel quality, reduce sulphur content in gasoline, and encourage the introduction of cleaner, more fuel-efficient advanced engine technologies.
"Today's announcement is welcome news for Canada's air quality, public health, and on-road light duty vehicles," said David Adams, president of Global Automakers of Canada.
Environment Canada's proposal will reduce the sulphur content of gasoline to an average of 10 parts per million (ppm) from the current 30-ppm average. Sulphur in fuels not only directly contributes to sulphur oxides (SOx) emissions, but also inhibits the ability of catalytic converters to operate at optimal efficiency.
"A consistent supply of cleaner 10-ppm sulphur and a low sulphur cap will ensure all Canadians have access to cleaner fuels and will help usher in advanced engine technologies to assist the industry in meeting stringent new fuel efficiency standards" added Adams.
For several years, Canada's Global Automakers have called on the federal government to introduce regulations to require cleaner fuels including ultra-low sulphur gasoline. "While our members have dramatically reduced vehicle NOx and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions by 99% compared to the pre-control period of the late 1960s and 70s, we are ready to go further," said Adams. "Improving gasoline quality by lowering sulphur levels at the pump has immediate benefits for every gasoline-powered vehicle in Canada, resulting lower SOx emissions and an increase in catalytic converter efficiency, which further reduces NOx emissions."
These new Canadian regulations are expected to move in lock-step with the United States (US) Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed Tier 3 program and the State of California's Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) III program. "It is imperative that Canada develops national emissions and fuel quality regulations in close collaboration with the US EPA's proposed Tier 3 program and California's LEV III standards which were finalized in 2012. This will help the industry build economies of scale across North America, and minimizes added costs for consumers.
"This announcement clearly shows that the government supports a systems approach- to engines and fuels and is also consistent with a key recommendation of the November 2009 Report of the Technical Working Group on Certain Fuel Quality Parameters." The Working Group, comprised of representatives of the automotive, petroleum and government sectors, worked in cooperation with Environment Canada to develop recommendations within the context of environmental and/or human health benefits, as well as broad regulatory alignment with the US federal and state requirements aimed at curbing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and increasing the fuel efficiency of light duty vehicles.
To meet the extremely challenging Canadian Passenger Automobile and Light Truck Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations already in place for model years (MY) 2011 through to MY 2016, and the even-more stringent proposed targets of MY2017-2025- automakers and their customers require a nationally-available supply of clean, ultra-low sulphur gasoline, and advanced emission-control technologies.
GLOBAL AUTOMAKERS OF CANADA is the national industry association representing the Canadian interests of 15 leading international automakers including BMW Group Canada Inc., Honda Canada Inc., Hyundai Auto Canada Corp., Jaguar Land Rover Canada ULC., Kia Canada Inc., Mazda Canada Inc., Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc., Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada Inc., Nissan Canada Inc., Porsche Cars Canada Ltd., Subaru Canada Inc., Suzuki Canada Inc., Toyota Canada Inc., Volkswagen Group Canada Inc., and Volvo Cars of Canada Corp. GAC advocates for sound public policy to support a competitive and sustainable Canadian automotive market. The members are committed to meeting the mobility needs of Canadians by providing greater consumer choice, offering leading-edge safety and environmental technologies, while eliminating unnecessary regulatory and trade barriers.
The 15 member companies and their affiliates directly or indirectly employ more than 77,000 Canadians in vehicle manufacturing, sales, distribution, parts, service, finance and head office operations from coast to coast. In 2012, GAC members sold 930,673 vehicles or 56% of all new vehicles in the Canadian market, and supported over 60% of Canada's 3300 new vehicle dealerships. Over 54% of the members' 2012 new vehicle sales were manufactured in Canada or the NAFTA region. In 2013, Natural Resources Canada recognized members with 7 out 10 ecoENERGY Efficiency for Vehicles awards.
To learn more, visit us at globalautomakers.ca.
Image with caption: "Global Automakers of Canada supports federal proposal to improve fuel quality and introduce 'Tier 3' emissions controls (CNW Group/Global Automakers of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130607_C6321_PHOTO_EN_27695.jpg
SOURCE: Global Automakers of Canada
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