I love these ideas. A municipal council in southwest London is proposing a parking permits scheme that would reward people driving low-CO2 vehicles and, well, punish those who drive gas-guzzling monsters. Costs range from no charge to a 200-per-cent increase over the current rate based on how many grams of CO2 are released by a vehicle per kilometre driven. Smart Cars, Honda Insights and Toyota Priuses would be examples of cars on the low end of the scale, while Porche 911s, Range Rovers and Jaguar X types would be on the high end.

The proposal goes before the council on Nov. 6 and the plan could be implemented before year’s end. “The proposals, if implemented, will be a national first and are part of the administration’s commitment to put sustainability at the heart of everything it does,” according to a council news release.

So, I wonder if there’s a municipality in Canada that has the chutzpah to do the same kind of thing here. I’d love to be the first to hear about it. Hat tip to the Green Car Congress for point this out.

I love these ideas. A municipal council in southwest London is proposing a parking permits scheme that would reward people driving low-CO2 vehicles and, well, punish those who drive gas-guzzling monsters. Costs range from no charge to a 200-per-cent increase over the current rate based on how many grams of CO2 are released by a vehicle per kilometre driven. Smart Cars, Honda Insights and Toyota Priuses would be examples of cars on the low end of the scale, while Porche 911s, Range Rovers and Jaguar X types would be on the high end.

The proposal goes before the council on Nov. 6 and the plan could be implemented before year’s end. “The proposals, if implemented, will be a national first and are part of the administration’s commitment to put sustainability at the heart of everything it does,” according to a council news release.

So, I wonder if there’s a municipality in Canada that has the chutzpah to do the same kind of thing here. I’d love to be the first to hear about it. Hat tip to the Green Car Congress for point this out.

At first I chuckled at this article, then I thought it was kind of sad. Anyway, apparently obesity in America is contributing to rising demand for gasoline, and affecting — excuse the pun — our bottom line. According to a new study, the U.S. is using 3.8 billion more litres of gas each year than it did 45 years ago because Americans on average are heavier. That is, they’re heavier passengers, meaning vehicles burn more fuel. It also means $2.2 billion (U.S.) more is being spent on gas than in 1960, assuming 59 cents a litre.

Makes you wonder the impact on the airline industry, cruise ships and trains.