Ontario to Launch Initiative Encouraging Motorists to Drive Electric - Huh?

Lake Shore Drive Chicago 2011

But First Snide's Remarks: The announcement below by Minister Chiarelli is about 180 degrees off base. Why you ask?. Well, the mileage and time constraints of today's EV's can put winter environment EV drivers and passengers into a life threatening situation; winter does occasionally occur in Ontario, you know.

Here is my real world example of these fears, and why I think EV's are most dangerous in winter climes. Last year's Chicago blizzard and the resulting Lake Shore Drive fiasco in which a fast moving storm caught drivers by surprise and left them stranded on a snow covered parking lot, waiting for rescue which in many cases came after hours of engine and heater on survival waiting.

Just imagine that you left your office in your spiffy fully charged EV (40-70 mile range in extra cold temps), more power to normally take you home, except for that day. Hours later sitting in a dead car that has run out of juice, would be unpleasant in any circumstance but could have been deadly on Lake Shore Drive...uh uh not me babe, life is risky enough...but if I could carry a long enough extension cord... What do you think? msnide@theautochannel.com.

TORONTO - May 8, 2012: The NACS Online newsletter reported that Ontario Transportation Minister Bob Chiarelli said the province plans to invest $60 million over the next three years in a charging infrastructure while providing motorists with incentives to drive electric vehicles, the Toronto Star reports.

The incentives will target the private sector and entice it into building charging stations at parking lots, gas stations and shopping malls, as well as encourage home charging stations.

“We have some (significant) funding to partner with them, so we are looking for joint venture proposals to put in charging stations. And we also starting to look internally out of that funding program to support home charging stations,” Chiarelli said.

Details have yet to be finalized, though the Ontario government has already put out a request for information to gather intelligence on the level of public interest as well as associated costs for a full-scale program.

“Encouraging Ontarians to choose electric vehicles is part of our government’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create jobs,” Chiarelli said. “As Minister of Transportation I believe it’s important for us to encourage motorists to embrace electric vehicles and other ‘green’ forms of transportation like cycling and public transit because it protects our environment, supports vibrant communities and contributes to a high quality of life.”

Ontario already provides consumers with an incentive ranging up to $8,500 toward the purchase or lease of a hybrid or electric car. To date, $2 million has been spent on vehicle incentives since 2010.