No. H077/04 For release October 22, 2004 OTTAWA - Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre today received the keys to a Mercedes-Benz Smart Car, the Smart ForTwo, in a ceremony held on Parliament Hill. The advanced technology diesel-powered car, which has greater fuel efficiency than standard gasoline-powered vehicles, has been purchased by Transport Canada for use in its vehicle fleet. "I am happy to announce that after in-depth testing, Transport Canada has purchased the Smart ForTwo," said Mr. Lapierre. "This purchase demonstrates the Government of Canada's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and encouraging a more sustainable transportation system." Road transportation is responsible for about 20 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada, and about one-third of the harmful emissions that contribute to urban air pollution, such as smog. Energy- and fuel-efficient vehicles, such as the Smart ForTwo, can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and urban air pollution. Transport Canada has been testing the Smart through its Advanced Technology Vehicles Program, which seeks to find ways to incorporate environmentally friendly vehicles into the Canadian market while continuing to meet Canada's stringent vehicle safety standards. Transport Canada's fleet comprises various advanced technology vehicles including the hybrid Honda Insight and Honda Civic, a hybrid Ford Escape and an electric Ford Ranger, the fuel-efficient Toyota Echo, a hybrid Toyota Prius and Toyota Estima and various flex-fuel (ethanol blended gasoline) vehicles from General Motors and Daimler-Chrysler. Modern diesel vehicles equipped with advanced technology engines offer improvements in fuel efficiency of up to 40 per cent over their gasoline counterparts. The ForTwo's fuel consumption, as rated in the upcoming 2005 Fuel Consumption Guide, is 3.8 litres/100 km on the highway and 4.6 litres/100 km in the city. The ForTwo made its debut in Canada on October 4, 2004 and has been certified to conform with all applicable Canadian safety standards. The Smart Car was first introduced in Europe in 1999. Since then, over 100,000 Smart cars have been sold worldwide. Transport Canada continues to work with other federal departments, provincial/territorial governments, municipal governments and the broader transportation community to develop a practical, cost-effective approach to combat the growth of greenhouse gas emissions. For more information, please visit Transport Canada's Advance Technology Vehicles Program website at www.tc.gc.ca/atvp. -30- Contacts: Irène Marcheterre Director of Communications Office of the Minister, Ottawa (613) 991-0700 Helen Leslie Communications Transport Canada, Ottawa (613) 993-0055 Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada. This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities.
