Every year or so, Auto123.com as well as a handful of journalists get invited by Transport Canada to participate and comment on their eTV program, previously known as the Advanced Technology Vehicle Program. Over the years, we've tested some very interesting cars; some of which have made it to our market and others that never came. For your reading pleasure, we've put together a short list of some of our favourites.
2003 Diahatsu Copen
2003 smart roadster
2004 Volkswagen Polo
2004 smart forfour
2005 BMW 120d
And now, the 2010 edition of Auto123.com's eTV program hoedown.
First, a quick reminder of what the eTV program is and what its intentions are. It is actually quite difficult to narrow or dumb down what the eTV stands for as much of their testing, studies and findings have a far-reaching impact on today's and, especially, tomorrow's world of transportation.
For our purposes, we always concentrate on the automotive sector, new cars and technologies to be specific.
So, in a nutshell, eTV works alongside manufacturers, industry associations and the like in order to bring viable technologies to the masses. “Green” remains the primary goal of the exercise, as transportation is the second largest source of greenhouse gases in our country, at 27% of the total. Of that, light-duty vehicles (cars and trucks we drive) are responsible for 12%.
Consider that there are over 20 million light-duty vehicles on our roads and now, more than ever, we are driving more often and further than ever before. And, this trend shows no real signs of slowing down.
Given these facts, it has never been as important to bring clean, safe, and efficient vehicles to Canadian roads.
Of the many potential alternatives, eTV has explored, alongside its partners, hydrogen refuelling stations, low rolling-resistance tires, electric cars, hybrids, diesels and internal-combustion engines. Some of the most fascinating data comes when the “well to wheel” figures are calculated.
2003 Diahatsu Copen
2003 smart roadster
2004 Volkswagen Polo
2004 smart forfour
2005 BMW 120d
And now, the 2010 edition of Auto123.com's eTV program hoedown.
First, a quick reminder of what the eTV program is and what its intentions are. It is actually quite difficult to narrow or dumb down what the eTV stands for as much of their testing, studies and findings have a far-reaching impact on today's and, especially, tomorrow's world of transportation.
 |
| Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com |
For our purposes, we always concentrate on the automotive sector, new cars and technologies to be specific.
So, in a nutshell, eTV works alongside manufacturers, industry associations and the like in order to bring viable technologies to the masses. “Green” remains the primary goal of the exercise, as transportation is the second largest source of greenhouse gases in our country, at 27% of the total. Of that, light-duty vehicles (cars and trucks we drive) are responsible for 12%.
Consider that there are over 20 million light-duty vehicles on our roads and now, more than ever, we are driving more often and further than ever before. And, this trend shows no real signs of slowing down.
Given these facts, it has never been as important to bring clean, safe, and efficient vehicles to Canadian roads.
Of the many potential alternatives, eTV has explored, alongside its partners, hydrogen refuelling stations, low rolling-resistance tires, electric cars, hybrids, diesels and internal-combustion engines. Some of the most fascinating data comes when the “well to wheel” figures are calculated.
 |
| Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com |