You should always choose a vehicle that fits your true needs. Before you buy, take the time to ask yourself the right questions.
- How many people will travel with you on a regular basis?
- How many kilometres do you cover on a daily basis?
- Do you drive more on the highway or in the city?
- How much money can you spend on the vehicle and on your fuel consumption?
If you’re often alone in your vehicle, a small model may be sufficient to meet your daily needs. If you mostly drive short distances, an electric vehicle could meet your needs.
You could then rent a larger or superior class vehicle for special occasions. |
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- Choosing a more energy-efficient vehicle is a great way to lower your fuel costs and greenhouse gas emissions for years to come!
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CHOOSING A NEW VEHICLE
The Departement has developed a user-friendly
tool to help you choose a more fuel-efficient and eco-friendly vehicle. Find your favourite models and see which offer the best fuel efficiency.
Step 1: Enter!
Enter your research criteria and your driving habits.
Step 2: Compare!
For all the models meeting your criteria, you can easily compare:
- Annual estimates of fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions
- Consumer ratings
Step 3: Dare!
Dare to choose the most fuel-efficient models that fit your needs. Print your choices, then visit your local dealer to road test the models.
Step 4: Let us know what you think!
Want to let us know what you think of the tool?
Do it here.
THE GO ELECTRIC PROGRAM
The
Go Electric Program offers a purchase/lease rebate for individuals, businesses and Québec municipalities that want to acquire an all-electric or hybrid vehicle.
In 2012 the rebate amount ranges from $5,000 to $8,000 for all-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. A $1,000 rebate is available for non-plug-in hybrid. Under this program, you can also apply for financial assistance for the purchase and installation of a 240 volt charging station at their home.
This program was officially launched on January 1, 2012. It will be in place until December 31, 2015. It replaces the
tax credit program for purchasing or leasing a new fuel-efficient vehicle that was in place from 2009 to 2011.
CHOOSING A PRE-OWNED VEHICLE
Natural Resource Canada publishes an annual
Fuel Consumption Guide that provides information on the fuel consumption (l / 100 km) ratings (for both highway and city driving) of all vehicles sold in Canada since 1995. These ratings are available for each model year in function of the engine size, the number of cylinders, the type of transmission and the type of fuel.
NOTE: Fuel consumption ratings are obtained from standardized tests. While the reported values generally underestimate the fuel consumption of vehicles in real use situations, these tools can nonetheless be useful for vehicle comparison purposes.
FACTORS INFLUENCING THE FUEL CONSUMPTION OF A VEHICLE
Factors
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Effects on fuel consumption |
Size and weight of the vehicle |
There are more than eight classes of vehicles, from relatively small and light subcompact cars that provide good fuel economy, to heavy, gas-guzzling pickup trucks. |
Engine size (engine capacity) and number of cylinders |
A strong engine capacity and a high number of cylinders generally indicate higher fuel consumption. However, there are new technologies that allow deactivating cylinders when the power demand is lower. |
Engine horsepower |
Higher horsepower means higher fuel consumption. |
Type of transmission |
A vehicle with a manual transmission consumes less fuel than a vehicle with an automatic transmission. |
Gas-guzzling options |
Using options such as four-wheel drive and air conditioning increases fuel consumption. |
Type of fuel |
Bigger fuel savings can be achieved with a vehicle that runs on diesel with low fuel sulphur content or that uses hybrid propulsion, than with a similar model vehicle that runs on gasoline. |