The ministère des Transports du Québec (MTQ) implemented the Government Assistance Program for Improving Energy Efficiency in Road, Rail and Marine Transportation. The program was established as part of Measure 9 of the gouvernement du Québec’s 2006-2012 Climate Change Action Plan entitled Québec and Climate Change – A Challenge for the Future.

The objective of the program is to promote the use of equipment and technologies aiming at improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) in transportation. The road component of the program is more specifically intended for the freight transportation and heavy vehicle sectors. It does not apply to vehicles used for passenger transportation. In addition, the program offers financial support to businesses wishing to reduce fuel consumption and, consequently, reduce their GHG emissions.

In the road component of the program, the MTQ uses the term « equipment » to mean:

• a piece of equipment, a device, a mechanism or an accessory that is installed on a vehicle
• a vehicle

The program has been in effect since June 10, 2009, and will end on March 31, 2013. Financial assistance applications for the acquisition, installation, alteration or replacement of equipment are retroactive to December 1, 2007.

The road component of the program provides financial assistance to businesses in two ways:

1. Acquisition, installation, alteration or replacement of equipment

The road component of the program provides the freight transportation and heavy vehicle sectors with financial assistance for the acquisition, installation, alteration or replacement of equipment that was assessed and included in the List of Equipment Eligible for Financial Assistance. To file an application, applicants must use the appropriate guide and form, the schedule to the form, and refer to the List of Equipment Eligible for Financial Assistance (See the Documentation section).

Examples of returns on investment related to the purchase of equipment:

• Onboard generator or electrical backup system
  • Cost of equipment:$11,000
  • Eligible expenditures: $10,000
  • Financial assistance under the program: $3,000
  • Number of hours of idle time: 1,500 h/year
  • Fuel economy: 3 l/hour
  • Economy in $: $4,500/year (fuel at $1.00/l)

• Return on investment: 1.78/year
• Side skirts for semi-trailers
  • Cost of equipment: $2,500
  • Financial assistance under the program: $750
  • Vehicle consumption: 40 l/100 km
  • Fuel economy: 5%
  • Annual number of km: 100,000 km
  • Economy in $: $2,000 (fuel at $1.00/l)
• Return on investment: 0.88/year

Note: These examples are for guidance only. The period for returns on investment may vary depending on the use of the equipment.

2. Research project or pilot project

The road component of the program also provides financial support for research and development, demonstration, experimental testing or pilot projects, or for equipment certification projects. Certification projects have specific requirements that set them apart from the other projects, as described below.

a. Research and development, demonstration, experimental testing and pilot projects

This aspect of the road component of the program broadly covers projects that pertain to energy efficiency or GHG emissions reduction in the freight transportation sector. More specifically, it focuses on equipment that is under development or that requires demonstration or testing. For example, carriers or users interested in the potential of untested equipment to improve a vehicle’s energy efficiency or reduce its GHG emissions can apply for financial assistance. Manufacturers or distributors wishing to develop equipment and demonstrate its potential in terms of energy efficiency and GHG emissions reduction can also apply. To file an application, applicants must use the appropriate guide and form available in the Documentation section.

b. Equipment certification project

Under the road component of the program, once the equipment is certified, it is included in the List of Equipment Eligible for Financial Assistance, which makes it eligible for the “Acquisition, installation, alteration or replacement of equipment” portion of the program. The certification process applies to equipment that is ready to be marketed or is already on the market. Manufacturers, distributors or, in rare cases, users of the equipment, can apply for financial assistance. To file an application, applicants must use the appropriate guide and form available in the Documentation section.