NEWS & REVIEWS

gerard plunkett TOLL FREE 1 877 ITS GWEV (487-4938) CUSTOMER COMMENTS "Thank you for your help and patience when I was purchasing my GW-8 electric bike. I am very happy with my choice. Supporting a "green environment" is important to me and my new GWEV is so much fun to ride! I love it." Mary Lou - Vancouver "I was thrilled to win a GW8 electric bike through the B.E.S.T. raffle during bike month. I LOVE it and am amazed at how quickly I bonded with "Scooty" as I have dubbed her. She is really convenient & fun to do errands on or to zip out on when I don't want to get hot riding my regular bike. As a non car owner, this is the perfect mode of transport for someone like me. Thank you, thank you, thank you." Katherine Harris Vancouver "I've had my gwev for five months now and I love it! It saves me a tank of gas a month on my local trips. Thanks." Helga, Vancouver *It's Finally Happened! No more PST on e-bikes and scooters in BC. Thanks to all of you who downloaded our letter and sent it to the Ministery in Victoria. PST EXEMPTION Ministry of Finance Feb. 19, 2008* Expanding the PST exemption on bicycles to include electric-assisted two and three wheel cycles and non-motorized adult tricycles . Reducing the tax payable on electric motorcycles Providing PST exemptions for: ENERGY STAR-qualified residential refrigerators, clothes washers and freezers, energy-efficient residential gas fired water heaters, insulation for hot water tanks, hot and cold water pipes, and ductwork, production machinery and equipment for local governments for power production and cogeneration, biodiesel fuel or portion of biodiesel fuel for heating, and aerodynamic devices for commercial tractor-trailer vehicles; . Providing relief from passenger vehicle rental tax for rentals of eight hours or less; . Reducing PST payable on hydrogen fuel cell buses to match the tax reduction available for other alternative fuel buses; . Repealing PST exemption on purchases of coal and coke, except for residential use; and . Classifying biodiesel and ethanol as alternative motor fuels for all purposes. $1 BILLION FOR CLIMATE ACTION Balanced Budget 2008 provides an additional $1 billion over four years for operating and capital expenditures and tax incentives to encourage environmentally responsible choices, implement new regulatory requirements, undertake cutting-edge research, and make needed low-carbon investments. New climate action initiatives include: $98 million for the new LiveSmartBC: Efficiency Incentive Program and other initiatives to encourage individuals and communities to make more energy-efficient choices for their homes, businesses and vehicles; . $370 million for capital and operating expenses to improve and expand public transportation in British Columbia; . $33 million for transportation initiatives to reduce emissions from commercial truck and ship traffic at B.C.’s ports and in technology to reduce idling at truck-stop and weigh-scale locations; . $130 million in capital and operating expenses for a carbon-neutral public sector by 2010, including energy-efficiency retrofits for public buildings, establishing the Pacific Carbon Trust, and the use of desktop video-conferencing technology and low-carbon procurement practices; . $9 million for key commitments from the 2007 throne speech and the Energy Plan such as designing a Green Building Code, creating emissions standards for landfills and new motor vehicles, and developing a “cap and trade” system for large greenhouse gas emitters; . $57 million for bioenergy and alternative energy solutions such as establishing a Bioenergy Network, introducing a biodiesel production incentive, expanding solar thermal energy systems, and supporting the Innovative Clean Energy Fund; . $98 million for climate change research through an endowment to the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions and the Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium, and to undertake a feasibility analysis on carbon capture and storage technology for natural gas production; . $111 million – including $62 million for contingencies to develop additional climate action solutions – to undertake stakeholder consultations, establish and fund the Citizens’ Conservation Council, assist the Climate Action Team, and support public outreach to promote greener choices; . $31 million to support innovation in the pulp and paper industry to further reduce its carbon footprint and enhance the carbon storage potential of B.C. forests; . $49 million to improve B.C.’s ability to adapt to climate change implications, including funds to enhance climate data collection systems and funding for flood protection and planning; . $15 million over three years to increase the equity tax credit budget by $5 million per year and set a tax credit budget of $7.5 million for clean technology businesses; . Expanding intellectual property to include green-related patents; . $33 million to provide tax relief for the purchase of conventional fuel-efficient vehicles that meet the fuel efficiency criteria set out in the federal government’s ecoAuto rebate program; . For the Finance Minister’s speech and more details on Balanced Budget 2008, visit www.gov.bc.ca/bcbudget online. Media Finance Communications contact: Public Affairs Bureau (250) 387-5013 For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. Da Vinci guy charged about electric bikes Barry Link Vancouver Courier April 7, 2004 Among a long list of acting credits, Gerard Plunkett plays the chief coroner on Da Vinci's Inquest. With a solid resume Plunkett has won status as a "I just saw that guy on TV last night" character actor about town with proven theatrical chops. So why is he selling electric bicycles and scooters from Green World Electric Vehicles, a new business he opened with his wife at the beginning of April? "We don't have a choice anymore," Plunkett says during an interview at Green World's Main Street location near 22nd Avenue. "It's not some academic luxury to imagine a clean world. It's got to be done." He and his wife wanted to open a business they cared about. Electric bicycles and scooters were their choice. They decided early on not to sell conventional scooters alongside the electric models. The two-stroke engines on scooters are notorious polluters and an example of engineering Plunkett believes consumers must leave behind. "This is a new kind of retailer-a green kind of retailer," he says. Plunkett predicts that, as knowledge about the effect of vehicle emissions on global climate change spreads, many families will adopt zero-emission models as their second vehicle. Green World sells sleek-looking power-assisted bicycles manufactured in China according to Transport Canada specifications. Users have the option of pedalling as much as they want with the bikes. If they're tired, want to take a break or face a hill, turning the handle throttle adds up to 30 kilometres an hour from a small electric motor. There are no gears to worry about and pedal intensity is constant. The bicycles require neither licenses nor insurance and include electric lights, horns, visual and audible turn signals and safety and security features such as ignition keys, power switches and a three-second delay on the throttle. Power for the motor is provided by a rechargeable battery that can be plugged into a regular electrical outlet, a procedure Plunkett describes as easy and routine as charging up a cell phone. A single charge lasts approximately 45 kilometres, and each recharge adds roughly 25 cents to your Hydro bill. A typical battery sustains 300 recharges before it needs to be replaced. Plunkett notes the old batteries can be recycled. Prices for Green World models run from $1,000 to $1,600. By the summer, Green World hopes to be selling a full line of scooters, which Plunkett believes will appeal to young women and students looking for a cheap, quiet and easy mode of transportation. Plunkett says all their vehicles are ideal for the city environment, which is why they located the business on Main for what could be Plunkett's most ambitious role yet: meeting a growing local demand for easy and non-polluting transportation. Green World Electric Vehicles, located at 3010 Cambie Street. More information is at gwev.com 604-879-4559 or info@gwev.com Zero-emission vehicles healing the planet one kilometer at a time. Be part of the solution join the gwevolution! TOLL FREE 1 877 ITS GWEV (487-4938) CUSTOMER COMMENTS “Thank you for your help and patience when I was purchasing my GW-8 electric bike. I am very happy with my choice. Supporting a “green environment” is important to me and my new GWEV is so much fun to ride! I love it.” Mary Lou – Vancouver “I was thrilled to win a GW8 electric bike through the B.E.S.T. raffle during bike month. I LOVE it and am amazed at how quickly I bonded with “Scooty” as I have dubbed her. She is really convenient & fun to do errands on or to zip out on when I don’t want to get hot riding my regular bike. As a non car owner, this is the perfect mode of transport for someone like me. Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Katherine Harris Vancouver “I’ve had my gwev for five months now and I love it! It saves me a tank of gas a month on my local trips. Thanks.” Helga, Vancouver It’s Finally Happened! No more PST on e-bikes and scooters in BC. Thanks to all of you who downloaded our letter and sent it to the Ministery in Victoria. PST EXEMPTION Ministry of Finance Feb. 19, 2008 Expanding the PST exemption on bicycles to include electric-assisted two and three wheel cycles and non-motorized adult tricycles . Reducing the tax payable on electric motorcycles Providing PST exemptions for: ENERGY STAR-qualified residential refrigerators, clothes washers and freezers, energy-efficient residential gas fired water heaters, insulation for hot water tanks, hot and cold water pipes, and ductwork, production machinery and equipment for local governments for power production and cogeneration, biodiesel fuel or portion of biodiesel fuel for heating, and aerodynamic devices for commercial tractor-trailer vehicles; . Providing relief from passenger vehicle rental tax for rentals of eight hours or less; . Reducing PST payable on hydrogen fuel cell buses to match the tax reduction available for other alternative fuel buses; . Repealing PST exemption on purchases of coal and coke, except for residential use; and . Classifying biodiesel and ethanol as alternative motor fuels for all purposes. $1 BILLION FOR CLIMATE ACTION Balanced Budget 2008 provides an additional $1 billion over four years for operating and capital expenditures and tax incentives to encourage environmentally responsible choices, implement new regulatory requirements, undertake cutting-edge research, and make needed low-carbon investments. New climate action initiatives include: $98 million for the new LiveSmartBC: Efficiency Incentive Program and other initiatives to encourage individuals and communities to make more energy-efficient choices for their homes, businesses and vehicles; . $370 million for capital and operating expenses to improve and expand public transportation in British Columbia; . $33 million for transportation initiatives to reduce emissions from commercial truck and ship traffic at B.C.’s ports and in technology to reduce idling at truck-stop and weigh-scale locations; . $130 million in capital and operating expenses for a carbon-neutral public sector by 2010, including energy-efficiency retrofits for public buildings, establishing the Pacific Carbon Trust, and the use of desktop video-conferencing technology and low-carbon procurement practices; . $9 million for key commitments from the 2007 throne speech and the Energy Plan such as designing a Green Building Code, creating emissions standards for landfills and new motor vehicles, and developing a “cap and trade” system for large greenhouse gas emitters; . $57 million for bioenergy and alternative energy solutions such as establishing a Bioenergy Network, introducing a biodiesel production incentive, expanding solar thermal energy systems, and supporting the Innovative Clean Energy Fund; . $98 million for climate change research through an endowment to the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions and the Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium, and to undertake a feasibility analysis on carbon capture and storage technology for natural gas production; . $111 million – including $62 million for contingencies to develop additional climate action solutions – to undertake stakeholder consultations, establish and fund the Citizens’ Conservation Council, assist the Climate Action Team, and support public outreach to promote greener choices; . $31 million to support innovation in the pulp and paper industry to further reduce its carbon footprint and enhance the carbon storage potential of B.C. forests; . $49 million to improve B.C.’s ability to adapt to climate change implications, including funds to enhance climate data collection systems and funding for flood protection and planning; . $15 million over three years to increase the equity tax credit budget by $5 million per year and set a tax credit budget of $7.5 million for clean technology businesses; . Expanding intellectual property to include green-related patents; . $33 million to provide tax relief for the purchase of conventional fuel-efficient vehicles that meet the fuel efficiency criteria set out in the federal government’s ecoAuto rebate program; . For the Finance Minister’s speech and more details on Balanced Budget 2008, visit www.gov.bc.ca/bcbudget online. Media Finance Communications contact: Public Affairs Bureau (250) 387-5013 For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. Da Vinci guy charged about electric bikes Barry Link Vancouver Courier April 7, 2004 Among a long list of acting credits, Gerard Plunkett plays the chief coroner on Da Vinci’s Inquest. With a solid resume Plunkett has won status as a “I just saw that guy on TV last night” character actor about town with proven theatrical chops. So why is he selling electric bicycles and scooters from Green World Electric Vehicles, a new business he opened with his wife at the beginning of April? “We don’t have a choice anymore,” Plunkett says during an interview at Green World’s Main Street location near 22nd Avenue. “It’s not some academic luxury to imagine a clean world. It’s got to be done.” He and his wife wanted to open a business they cared about. Electric bicycles and scooters were their choice. They decided early on not to sell conventional scooters alongside the electric models. The two-stroke engines on scooters are notorious polluters and an example of engineering Plunkett believes consumers must leave behind. “This is a new kind of retailer-a green kind of retailer,” he says. Plunkett predicts that, as knowledge about the effect of vehicle emissions on global climate change spreads, many families will adopt zero-emission models as their second vehicle. Green World sells sleek-looking power-assisted bicycles manufactured in China according to Transport Canada specifications. Users have the option of pedalling as much as they want with the bikes. If they’re tired, want to take a break or face a hill, turning the handle throttle adds up to 30 kilometres an hour from a small electric motor. There are no gears to worry about and pedal intensity is constant. The bicycles require neither licenses nor insurance and include electric lights, horns, visual and audible turn signals and safety and security features such as ignition keys, power switches and a three-second delay on the throttle. Power for the motor is provided by a rechargeable battery that can be plugged into a regular electrical outlet, a procedure Plunkett describes as easy and routine as charging up a cell phone. A single charge lasts approximately 45 kilometres, and each recharge adds roughly 25 cents to your Hydro bill. A typical battery sustains 300 recharges before it needs to be replaced. Plunkett notes the old batteries can be recycled. Prices for Green World models run from $1,000 to $1,600. By the summer, Green World hopes to be selling a full line of scooters, which Plunkett believes will appeal to young women and students looking for a cheap, quiet and easy mode of transportation. Plunkett says all their vehicles are ideal for the city environment, which is why they located the business on Main for what could be Plunkett’s most ambitious role yet: meeting a growing local demand for easy and non-polluting transportation. Green World Electric Vehicles, located at 3010 Cambie Street. More information is at gwev.com 604-879-4559 or info@gwev.com Zero-emission vehicles healing the planet one kilometer at a time. Be part of the solution join the gwevolution!

2008-09-03T13:34:01-07:00

news-reviews 402112

2008-09-03T13:34:00-07:00

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NEWS & REVIEWS

2009-01-29T12:36:54-08:00