Ecocamionnage program - Technology acquisition

The "Programme d’Aide à la Réduction des Émissions de Gaz à Effet de Serre dans le Transport Routier des Marchandises (Écocamionnage)" is a financial aid initiative by the Quebec Ministry of Transport aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the freight transport sector. It offers financial support for the acquisition and installation of eco-friendly technologies on heavy-duty vehicles.

The "Programme d’Aide à la Réduction des Émissions de Gaz à Effet de Serre dans le Transport Routier des Marchandises (Écocamionnage)" is a significant initiative by the Quebec Ministry of Transport, designed to support businesses, municipalities, and other organizations in reducing their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This financial aid program primarily targets the freight transport sector, providing subsidies for the acquisition and installation of eco-friendly technologies. ### Eligibility Criteria: To qualify for the financial aid under the general framework of the EcoCamionnage program, applicants must meet several specific criteria: 1. **Registration Requirements**: Applicants – whether businesses, individuals, organizations, or municipalities – must be registered with the Registre des propriétaires et des exploitants de véhicules lourds (Register of Owners and Operators of Heavy Vehicles) under the Commission des transports du Québec, holding a satisfactory safety rating. 2. **Location and Immovable Property**: The establishment or operation of the applicant must be situated within Quebec, and the vehicles for which the technology is acquired must be currently registered in Quebec. 3. **Ownership**: The applicant needs to be the owner or the operator of the vehicles at the time of application. ### Eligible Expenses: Understanding and correctly identifying eligible expenses is crucial for a successful grant application. The eligible expenses cover both the costs of purchasing and installing technologies, as well as costs associated with replacing existing equipment with eco-friendly alternatives. 1. **Technology Acquisition**: - For added technologies, expenses include costs related to acquiring and installing the technology, which encompass both labor costs and parts required for the installation. - For replacement technologies, only the additional cost of the eco-friendly technology over the cost of the standard or existing technology is considered. ### Non-Admissible Expenses: To streamline the application process and focus funds on meaningful environmental impacts, certain expenses are deemed non-eligible: - Provincial Sales Tax (TVQ) and Goods and Services Tax (TPS), or any other refundable fees or expenses. - Operational and maintenance costs related to the new technology. - Costs associated with preparing the application, travel, delivery, and administrative expenses linked to the application process. ### Financial Aid Payment Method: The financial aid is disbursed in a single installment through a check, released post submission of the required documents including a completed form, annex, valid vehicle registration certificate, and proof of purchase and installation of the technology. Notably, for brand new tractors inclusive of aerodynamic equipment, additional documentation is required to substantiate the detailed list of installed aerodynamic devices. ### Required Information: Candidates must ensure the submission of a fully completed and signed "Formulaire de demande d’aide financière pour l’acquisition d’une technologie" available on the Ministry of Transport's website. Additionally, the annex should list all technologies, particularly if there are more than 20, and provide comprehensive details for each. Only technologies included in the list of admissible technologies will be considered for financial aid. ### Supporting Documents: A successful application mandates several pieces of documentation, notably: - **Vehicle Registration Certificate**: Should be entirely legible, signed, and ordered as per the annex. - **Technology Purchase Invoice or Contract**: Must link the technology acquisition to the concerned vehicle by including its serial number, make, and year. - **Installation Invoice**: Required for detailed information such as date, client details, itemization of the cost, and mode of payment. - **Vehicle Technical Specifications**: Applicability should be based on the type of technology or vehicle. - **Dealer Confirmation Letter**: When applying to include a confirmation letter from the dealer, it should contain the purchase date and the dealer representative's signature. ### Application Processing: After submission, the application undergoes an initial verification to confirm receipt. The content is then scrutinized for adherence to eligibility criteria, completeness, and the availability of funds. Incomplete applications will be flagged for additional documentation, which the applicant must provide within a specified timeframe; failure to do so results in temporary refusal of the application. Upon successful review and recommendation for financial aid, official confirmation follows the approval by ministerial authorities. This rigorous process ensures that the most suitable candidates with potential for significant environmental impact are awarded the support. ### Contact Information: For additional information or support regarding the EcoCamionnage program, applicants can reach out as follows: - **Phone**: Local calls at 418-266-6647 or toll-free at 1-888-717-8082. - **Mail**: Ministry of Transport, Programme Écocamionnage, Direction des aides aux individus et aux entreprises (DAIE), 700, boulevard René-Lévesque Est, 19e étage, Québec (Québec) GIR 5H1. This grant is a vital part of Quebec’s comprehensive strategy to combat climate change and promote sustainable practices within the transportation sector. By actively participating in this program, applicants not only benefit financially but also contribute significantly to environmental preservation.