A new incentive for buying hybrid and battery powered cars was introduced this week. What is it? Its a green license plate that gives the owners of these battery powered cars "special" privileges. These privileges include being able to drive in high occupancy lanes (with one passenger), rechargeable stations located at the go train and other provincially operated lots, and certain special parking spaces at stores. Now although these cars aren't on the market yet car manufacturers are working hard to get them out a.s.a.p.
Now the green plate doesn't include vehicles that are hybrid/gas powered like those on the road today. It is solely for electric cars only. I feel that buying an electric powered car is a commitment that people are not ready for. I myself am skeptical about the whole idea. The green license plate benefit stops in 2015 so drivers have a long time to weigh out their options and do a bit more research on the subject. The Ontario government hopes to convert drivers into these cars as their goal is to have 1 out of 20 drivers on the road having a battery powered car by the year 2020.
The goal of these license plates is to encourage drivers to turn green. However these cars wont come cheap and I doubt someone will buy a certain car just for a plate. Also the cars are said to go up to 60 to 80 kilometers on a single charge. Now that might be good for people who have a short commute in the city, but most people commute a bit longer to get to work. With that said I believe that 60 to 80 kilometers isn't enough to really drive comfortably without worrying about your charge. Who knows how these battery powered vehicles will turn out...lets just hope that they're not slow
http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/720795--ontario-unveils-green-licence-plate-for-eco-friendly-vehicles#article
Now the green plate doesn't include vehicles that are hybrid/gas powered like those on the road today. It is solely for electric cars only. I feel that buying an electric powered car is a commitment that people are not ready for. I myself am skeptical about the whole idea. The green license plate benefit stops in 2015 so drivers have a long time to weigh out their options and do a bit more research on the subject. The Ontario government hopes to convert drivers into these cars as their goal is to have 1 out of 20 drivers on the road having a battery powered car by the year 2020.
The goal of these license plates is to encourage drivers to turn green. However these cars wont come cheap and I doubt someone will buy a certain car just for a plate. Also the cars are said to go up to 60 to 80 kilometers on a single charge. Now that might be good for people who have a short commute in the city, but most people commute a bit longer to get to work. With that said I believe that 60 to 80 kilometers isn't enough to really drive comfortably without worrying about your charge. Who knows how these battery powered vehicles will turn out...lets just hope that they're not slow
http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/720795--ontario-unveils-green-licence-plate-for-eco-friendly-vehicles#article
I am skeptical as well. I find that these electric vehicles wouldn't really benefit anyone taking long distance trips. Who really wants to stop half way to their destination to charge their car? Pulling over to fill up your gas tank would take at best 5 minutes, I wonder how long it would take to fully charge your car?
ReplyDeleteI just think that the car's they're considering eligible for this is a bit too far fetched. I think they need to broaden their scope a bit, and at least except hybrids, for exactly the reason you pointed out...your car should last your whole trip! If the techonology is bettered to a point when this is possible, then I can understand becoming stricter, but the technology just isn't there yet.
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