"We are really happy that Toyota is joining the program to offer an incentive that is sure to please drivers. It wonderfully completes the range of rewards offered. Up to now, we did not offer any incentive for the purchase of more energy efficient vehicles, but today, participants can take advantage of cash discounts. Drivers who replace their vehicles will be given concrete encouragement to choose more energy efficient vehicles," rejoiced André Bélisle, President of the Association québécoise de lutte contre la pollution atmosphérique (AQLPA).
"Toyota is delighted to support the Clear the Air! program with an added cash discount of $1,500 on the purchase of a new Toyota vehicle or a qualifying preowned Toyota vehicle," said Stephen Beatty, Managing Director of Toyota Canada Inc. and Chief Environmental Office. "Toyota is an environmental leader, with over 20 years of experience in developing cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles, materials and manufacturing processes. And with the largest selection of fuel-efficient vehicle options from small cars to pickup trucks and minivans, drivers who participate in this program will reap the benefits having the vehicle they want at an incredible price!"
"This partnership is excellent news, because it will encourage even more Quebecers to benefit from the Clear the Air! program. It will contribute more to the achievement of our ambitious target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 20% below the 1990 level by 2020. I am delighted with this additional incentive, which improves the program's offering," said the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks, Pierre Arcand.
The Toyota offer comes in the form of a cash discount of up to $1,500 on the purchase of a new Toyota vehicle, or a preowned Toyota up to 4 years old, certified for its low pollution emissions and reduced fuel consumption compared to older vehicle being turned in. The exact amount of the discount will be determined according to the pollution avoided when compared to the CO2 emissions of the older and new vehicle over 3 years. The less the new car pollutes compared to the older car, the bigger the cash discount. There are three discount levels proportional to three levels of emission reductions over 3 years: $600, $1,000 or $1,500. To obtain an overview of the discounts offered under the Clear the Air! program, just use the calculator available on the program site.
Even better, these cash discounts can be combined with the other current promotions at Toyota dealers. In addition, if the replacement vehicle is eligible for the credits (1) offered by the Quebec government for the purchase of a hybrid or electric vehicle, these credits also apply.
"The first automobile partner to join the program, the Quebec Toyota Dealers Association, is opening the way by giving people concrete encouragement to make more responsible automotive choices. The AQLPA hopes that other manufacturers and dealers will follow suit to offer motorists greener vehicles. Since its founding, Clear the Air! has mainly favoured changing to different transportation modes and active transportation, but it is these alternatives are not always realistic everywhere in Quebec. Toyota's arrival will finally let us encourage people who replace their car to turn to more responsible choices," pointed out Patrick Bonin, Director, Energy and Climate at the AQLPA.
Toyota's offer doesn't stop there. Until September 30, owners of old vehicles of all makes are invited to have their cars inspected free of charge at one of Toyota's 68 Quebec dealerships.
"The free inspection offered at Quebec Toyota dealerships is an essential way to meet motorists' needs by helping them to understand their vehicle's condition. We are convinced that the pollution emitted by older high-polluting vehicles is increasingly a factor influencing the decision whether or not trade-in a vehicle. On the other hand, Toyota has always been a leader when it comes to proactive environmental initiatives," stated Jean-Pierre Gagnon, Toyota Regional Manager in Quebec.
"Adequate maintenance of a vehicle is not only a matter of safety for its passengers. Looking after this also means taking action for air quality and the fight against climate change," pointed out André Bélisle of AQLPA "The people who take advantage of this program will have a more accurate picture of what driving their vehicle involves."
The free inspection offer is valid up to this September 30. It is offered to owners of vehicles of the 1997 model year or earlier, of all makes. To benefit, the eligible motorists must make an appointment with their Toyota dealer.
Clear the Air! targets vehicles of the 1997 model year or earlier. It is estimated that about 600,000 of these vehicles are still on Quebec roads. Although they only account for 10% of the light vehicle fleet (cars and light trucks), they are responsible for a very large share of automobile pollution. According to recent calculations (2), vehicles of the 1997 model year produce an average of 20 times more polluting emissions responsible for smog than 2009-2010 vehicles, while vehicles of the 1995 model year and earlier produce 39 times more! Old vehicles are that much more polluting because they were made before the tightening of antipollution standards and the arrival of less polluting technologies. Other reasons are their wear and the fact that they are generally less well maintained.
Clear the Air! is the recycling program for old vehicles established in Quebec by the AQLPA in 2003. It is supported by the Quebec government, through the Green Fund. Its objective is to contribute to the improvement of air quality, fight climate change and encourage people to use more sustainable transportation modes. In addition to the cash discounts now offered on the purchase of a Toyota, thanks to the collaboration of a large network of partners, Clear the Air! participants can choose from a range of incentives: 12 months of public transit passes, discounts on bikes or electric bikes, discounts on a car sharing or bike sharing service, etc. To find out more, visit the Rewards section of the website: www.cleartheairprogram.org
Between April 2009 and March 2011, nearly 40,000 people took advantage of the program's benefits. The withdrawal of these vehicles, in terms of air pollution, is equivalent to having removed 760,000 cars (3) (2004 model year) from Quebec roads. That's a big step for air quality and the fight against climate change.
(1) For more details on the credits offered by the government on the purchase or leasing of hybrid and electric vehicles: http://www.vehiculeselectriques.gouv.qc.ca/quebec/rabais.asp
(2) Figures provided by Air Care, responsible for the mandatory inspection program in British Columbia.
(3) According to Environment Canada's conservative emission factors, which indicate that vehicles from 1995 and earlier pollute an average of 19 times more than vehicles from 2004 and later