Eco-Friendly Vehicles
The Passenger Transportation Board supports measures taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It has also established policies and communications that promote the use of eco-friendly vehicles as taxicabs, limousines, and shuttle vans.
When an application is approved to expand the number of taxis that can operate in Metro Vancouver or the Capital Regional District, an eco-friendly taxi must be used.
Board policies and requirements respecting eco-friendly vehicle are provided below.
Policy OP IV.2 | Eco-friendly Taxis
Advisory | Board expands eco-friendly taxi policy | November 2, 2011
Policy OP IV.3 | Eco-friendly Sedan Limousines
Advisory | Eco-friendly sedan limousines | July 30, 2008
Vehicle Lists
Eco-Friendly Taxis
PT Board | 2011 Eco-Friendly Taxi Guide (updated November 2 2011)
PT Board | 2010 Eco-friendly Taxi Guide (info about 2006 – 2010 models)
All Vehicles
PT Board | Fuel Consumption Ratings for 2011 Vehicles
Natural Resources Canada | Fuel Consumption Ratings Since 1999
More Information about Eco-Friendly Vehicles
In addition to the Board information above, some helpful information sources about eco-friendly vehicles are provided on this page. The sources have been selected for the usefulness and relevance to commercial passenger transportation operations in British Columbia.
Reasons for an Eco-Friendly Vehicle Fleet
Companies that provide passenger transportation in British Columbia have been increasing the number of eco-friendly vehicles in their fleet. Many are doing it on their own, and in some instances, it has become a basic requirement (as noted above).
Why are these changes happening? There are a number of reasons.
Improved fuel efficiency makes good business and economic sense. Eco-friendly vehicles produce fewer CO2 emissions. The provincial government is committed to a 33% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. As well, there are added financial benefits available through tax incentives for eco-friendly vehicles.
More information about provincial commitments, plans and strategies are provided below. (Tax incentives follow later on this page.)
- Climate Action Plan for BC
- BC Climate Exchange (Transportation Resources)
- Greenhouse Gas Action Guide (Transportation)
Hybrid Performance Information
“Eco-friendly vehicles” are often associated with hybrids that run on gasoline and electricity. In British Columbia, hundreds of hybrids are now being operated as taxicabs. To help companies when making decisions about what vehicles to include in their fleet, the links provided below offer objective information about the real-world performance of hybrids (and other comparison vehicles) when operated as commercial passenger vehicles.
- The Hybrid Experience (British Columbia)
The Hybrid Experience is a portal for sharing real-world data about hybrids used as taxicabs and for other purposes. The Hybrid Experience is a GreenFleets BC program based in Vancouver and operated by the Fraser Basin Council of British Columbia.
Taxi companies and other passenger transportation companies can get data that helps them decide whether a hybrid suits their business and circumstances. Here are some resources that may be of interest to passenger transportation companies:
- Hybrid Benefits
- Hybrid History
- Hybrid Reliability
- Performance by Vehicle Type / Café Standards
- Driver Reports on the Toyota Prius in Different Operating Conditions (including cold weather performance)
- Vehicle Fleet Decision Making Tools
Help by Submitting Your Vehicle Data
The Hybrid Experience website makes performance and cost data available about hybrids and conventional vehicles based on real-world experiences. The information at the site comes from passenger transportation companies that want to help other companies make informed choices about eco-friendly vehicle options. The Board encourages commercial passenger vehicles in British Columbia to help out and share vehicle cost and performance information with The Hybrid Experience. Click here to learn how to submit your vehicle data to The Hybrid Experience.
- Hail A Hybrid (Alberta)
- Taxi Performance by Vehicle Type
- Hybrid Basics
- Video: The World’s First Prius Taxi (Vancouver)
Bio-diesel Options
BioFleet is a bio-diesel market development program in western Canada. With the support of the federal and provincial governments, as well as the agriculture and bio-diesel industries, BioFleet provides information, education, workshops, demonstrations, tools and common branding to support the expanded use of bio-diesel.
Tax Incentives
The British Columbia provincial government offers tax concessions for alternative fuel vehicles and alternative fuels. Use these links for information about eligible vehicles, program details and forms.
A PST reduction is applied at point of sale for qualifying fuel efficient vehicles. Vehicles that are eligible for the Alternative Fuel Vehicles PST rebate (see above) are not eligible for the Fuel Efficient Vehicles PST Reduction.
The Hybrid Experience explains how to take advantage of the tax incentives in British Columbia.
Fuel Efficiency & Emissions Ratings
Natural Resources Canada publishes fuel efficiency ratings for all vehicles.
- Fuel Consumption Guides
- Look up fuel consumption and CO2 emissions ratings for new or used vehicles
- Compare fuel and emissions performance for two vehicles
- Introduction to Alternative Fuels
Until December 31, 2008, eco-AUTO rebates are available on eligible 2006, 2007 and 2008 model-year vehicles. The rebate does not apply to 2009 vehicles.
- Eco-Auto Rebate Program (2006 – 2008 Vehicles Only)
- 2008 Eco-Auto Vehicles
- 2007 Eco-Auto Vehicles
- 2006 Eco-Auto Vehicles