So a provincial plan to reward drivers of eco-friendly vehicles with ‘green’ license plates would offer them several rewards. The details of the program are in their initial stages and have yet to be finalized. One current gray area is which vehicles will be the recipients of this reward. Some push towards existing models like the Toyota Prius and SmartCar have been pointed out, but there is also some mention that these might not be good enough and actually be ineligible. Instead the program may be looking towards vehicles that are even friendlier than before. This is all quite noble, but with the high, above average expense of these vehicles, it certainly only reaches out to a small sector of the public. In the same strain though, demand for these vehicles whose main price hike is due to the cost of technology will help funding to both improve and cheapen the technology in the future.
The other gray area of the program is the rewards it offers. Access to the carpool lane with only a single passenger seems to be the key one. This reward would probably be more stimulating if there were more carpool lanes to begin with. It also seems fairly nearsighted. If the goal is to switch people from using gas-guzzlers to environmental friendly vehicles, eventually the carpool lanes will become congested with many single passenger vehicles, taking away the purpose of them.
Another reward frequently mentioned is free parking in designated areas. This sounds like it could be fairly Toronto, or city-centered, possibly not inferring any benefits onto more rurally based supporters of the plan. If large box stores like Wal-Mart offer up premium parking for the green-license plate club, will law enforce it? Handi-capped works well, but there are an awful lot of pregnant middle-aged men out there.
Some criticize the plan as being too little, too late. It’s true that the majority of the focus for environmental change should be on industries instead of people, who are collectively responsible for more than 70% of pollution. However, vehicle use is a large proponent of individual wear and tear on the environment. There is no such thing as too little. There could be better, but a little is better than nothing.
I definitely can see how there may be a problem with the efficiency of car pool lanes with these new changes allowing single drivers in these lanes. While it doesn't seem practical I'm sure many people will take advantage of privilege and use the carpool lanes. Honestly, if the provincial government gives individuals a free pass... there going to take it. I can see these new license plates being slightly successful because of it.
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