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Q1. What is the ecoTECHNOLOGY for Vehicles (eTV) Program?
A1. The eTV Program is an initiative that conducts in-depth safety and environmental performance testing on a range of new and emerging advanced passenger car and truck technologies.
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Q2. Which technologies does the program test?
A2. The program conducts testing on new and emerging technologies for both light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles. For example, the program investigates the performance of alternative-fuelled vehicles, including electric, compressed natural gas and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The program is also testing new light-weight technologies for light-duty vehicles, as well as aerodynamic improvements for heavy-duty trucks and trailers.
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Q3. Why is it necessary to test these technologies?
A3. We have committed to increasingly stringent greenhouse gas emission regulations for both light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles. As a result, manufacturers are introducing a number of new technology innovations to improve the efficiency of vehicles over the next several years.
The program enhances our capacity to proactively test these new technologies, before they are well established in the market. Results are being used to develop safety and environmental regulations and industry codes and standards to ensure that new innovations can be introduced in Canada in a safe and timely manner.
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Q4. How will the program determine which technologies should be tested?
A4. The eTV program works with international, federal, provincial and territorial regulators and industry to identify priority technologies for investigation. The program focuses on technologies where a knowledge gap exists with respect to safety and or environmental performance. For example, the program conducts testing to develop North American regulations that require manufacturers to install noise alert systems on electric and hybrid vehicles.
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Q5. Are test results publically available?
A5. Yes. Test results are published on the program's website once they become available. They are also shared with international, federal, provincial and territorial regulators and industry, as well as standards development organizations.
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Q6. I've developed a new product (technology, fuel, etc.). Can I work with the eTV Program to bring it to market?
A6. The mandate of the eTV Program is to test and evaluate promising technologies in order to facilitate their introduction in Canada. As such, the eTV Program is always on the lookout for new, commercially viable technologies that will improve fuel consumption and/or reduce harmful emissions. However, the program does not provide funding or certification to organizations or companies looking to develop new prototypes, fuel additives or other technologies for the Canadian market.
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Q7. Does the eTV Program provide incentives and possible grants to help develop a prototype?
A7. The eTV Program's mandate is to seek out the most advanced technologies in order to evaluate their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, fuel consumption and other pollutants in passenger cars and trucks. The aim of the program is to get the cleanest transportation technologies on Canadian roads as soon as possible.
To achieve this mandate, the eTV Program focuses its efforts on evaluating technologies that are close to or at the commercialization stage. The program does not provide direct funding for the development of experimental or prototype technologies. However, once a working prototype has been developed, the program may be able to work with the company to test and evaluate the performance of the prototyped technology on Canadian roads.