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The FCP – A brief history

On April 1, 2009 the Government of Canada announced that new Passenger Automobile and Light Truck Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations would be developed to limit greenhouse gas emissions from the automotive sector under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), 1999.  Beginning in model year 2011, the motor vehicle industry will submit data to Environment Canada. As a result, on March 31, 2010 Transport Canada’s Fuel Consumption Program (FCP) ended.

1975

  • The Joint Government-Industry Voluntary Fuel Consumption Program is established to promote energy conservation in the transportation sector through the design, manufacture and sale of fuel-efficient motor vehicles.

1976

  • Transport Canada begins collecting fuel economy data from the motor vehicle industry and publishing it in the Fuel Economy Guide, with combined city and highway fuel economy values in miles per gallon (mpg) for new passenger cars and new light-duty trucks for model year 1977.
  • The Transport Canada vehicle test fleet is expanded to accommodate the testing requirements of the Fuel Consumption Program.
  • Under the Voluntary Fuel Consumption Program, the first Company Average Fuel Consumption (CAFC) goal is introduced for the new passenger car fleet. This voluntary goal, measured in litres of fuel consumed per 100 kilometres of travel distance (L/100km), is similar to the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) established in the United States.

1977

  • Fuel economy labels appear for the first time on new passenger cars and new light-duty trucks during the 1977 model year.

1982

  • The Motor Vehicle Fuel Consumption Standards Act (MVFCSA) is presented to Parliament to further the development of an effective fuel efficiency program in Canada. This Act establishes minimum CAFC standards for specified fleets of motor vehicles, with financial penalties for non-compliance. However, the MVSFCA is not proclaimed, and the motor vehicle industry agrees to comply voluntarily with the requirements of the Act.  The Voluntary Fuel Consumption Program is modified to reflect the revised requirements.

1986

  • Transport Canada introduces a computerized data system to collect new motor vehicle fuel economy and emissions data. The Vehicle Fuel Economy Information System (VFEIS) is designed to gather and analyse the detailed fuel consumption data required to support a legislated fuel consumption program under the MVFCSA. The motor vehicle industry agrees to voluntarily supply the Canadian government with vehicle data.

1990

  • A second voluntary CAFC goal is added for the new light-duty truck fleet.

2005

  • The Government of Canada and the automobile manufacturers and importers reach a voluntary agreement to reduce annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Canada's vehicle fleet.  Under this agreement, automobile manufacturers and importers agree to reduce GHG emissions from new light-duty vehicles sold in Canada (cars, minivans, sport utility vehicles and pick-up trucks) so that annual reductions of 5.3 megatonnes can be achieved by 2010.  The Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association and the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers of Canada sign the voluntary GHG Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

2006

  • In October, the Government of Canada announces in a Notice of Intent to Regulate that it intends to regulate the fuel consumption of road motor vehicles under the Motor Vehicle Fuel Consumption Standards Act.

2007

  • The commitment to regulate motor vehicle fuel consumption was confirmed in April, with the release of the Regulatory Framework for Air Emissions.  As part of a broader transportation policy package, a mandatory fuel-efficiency standard will be developed in consultation with all the stakeholders.
  • The Motor Vehicle Fuel Consumption Standards Act (MVFCSA) is proclaimed on November 2, establishing the legislative basis for developing new fuel consumption standards.

2008

  • In January, the Government of Canada announces that Canada will adopt – as a minimum target – the same fuel economy goal established by the United States Department of Transportation, namely a combined fleet average of 35 mpg (6.72 L/100 km) by 2020.

2009

  • In April, the process to develop fuel consumption regulations pursuant to the Motor Vehicle fuel Consumption Standards Act ended. As published on April 4, 2009, in the Canada Gazette, Part I, it was replaced with a process to develop regulations pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA). The new regulations, which will take effect beginning with the 2011 model year, limit carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from new cars and light-duty trucks.
Date modified:
2012-03-08