Ontario Government red-tape need HELP!

[mamodbasher]

Hi group - so here's the deal. I have finished my ESCORTEV (95 Escort now a full-function EV) and off I go to the Hamilton license bureau to do 2 simple things - register my new ESCORTEV plates and change the "G" on the permit to "E". The plates were simple, but not the permit. I know that Darin Cosgrove (ForkenSwift) is out there and I was fairly sure that he got his Swift done at the local office in Brockville Ontario and I am also thinking there must be others in this province. In a nut-shell, what I was told was that this operation was impossible to do at this time (?). I think that it has a lot to do with the new policy being intoduced by Premier Dad (Dalton McGuinty) surrounding the rebate program for PHEV and BEV - but it does not start until July 2010 - does not help me at all. I need to get the "E" on this permit, or come January, I will have to put the Escort through an E-test - I can read the headlines now "Local Driver Unable To Register Electric Vehicle In Ontario Due To Failed Mandatory Emmission Test". All I can say is, Darin if you are out there and can help a fellow EV guy with his plight, I am ready for it. I know it's a tough thing to ask, but if I have "proof" that at least one other conversion has been changed on the permit, I can persuade the Ministry to change their mind. I have already sent the email to the Ministry, but I need facts to put where my mouth is - HELP You can contact me directly at mamodbasher(at)gmail(dot)com Ken.

[RobertSmalls]

Wouldn't you be able to pass that emissions test? You could demonstrate the vehicle idling in neutral, or in gear, producing levels of emissions that are acceptable for a '95 Escort.

I can't actually help you except to say that I've found if the DMV doesn't know the answer, they'll tell you it can't be done. I've gotten more information by calling the DMV call center. Good luck.

[mamodbasher]

[QUOTE=RobertSmalls;118254]Wouldn't you be able to pass that emissions test? You could demonstrate the vehicle idling in neutral, or in gear, producing levels of emissions that are acceptable for a '95 Escort.

That's the problem, you can't E-test a vehicle with an electric motor - I don't think - maybe if there is a mechanic reading this, they could advise?? In any event, what I found really odd, is that they (at the license bureau) had no quams about my driving the car with an electric motor, while the registration says it gas. Isn't that illegal? I would think that the ownership information must be accurate - after all, it's a government document. They had no issue with that at all! Talk about mixed signals. I received a "stock" reply from the ministry from my email - we'll see how that plays out. I will keep all posted on this one . Ken.

[gascort]

Ridiculous. Ditto on the "When the DMV doesn't know, they say it can't be done"

For their E-test, do they hook it up to a computer, or do a sniffer on the exhaust? I don't see why you couldn't hook up a "tailpipe" to the back of the car for them to sniff nothing from, lol.

[Bicycle Bob]

Aye. If the tester objects to the charade, let them find out how to change G to E. When I moved here, I "grew" an inch, because the DL computer would not accept the correct input. They have an expression in BC "close enough for Government work" which is apparently a very loose standard.

[mamodbasher]

Originally Posted by gascort

Ridiculous. Ditto on the "When the DMV doesn't know, they say it can't be done"

For their E-test, do they hook it up to a computer, or do a sniffer on the exhaust? I don't see why you couldn't hook up a "tailpipe" to the back of the car for them to sniff nothing from, lol.

I had thought about this, but why should I have to pay out of my pocket to get around their incompetence? I have a pdf that I downloaded from the Ontario website. It enables Ontarians (that's me) to claim back (up to $1000) their RST (retail sales tax) for converting a car to electric. It is dated March 2009. I am going to go through this process and see if I actually get some money back. If I do (or even if I don't) I will then ask them why my registration does not reflect the conversion, while the form does? Stay tuned Ken.

[orange4boy]

Have you tried contacting the EV society? They are in Ontario. In BC you have to get converted vehicles inspected before you can register them. Sounds like you got someone who was embarrassed to admit they didn't know their job.

Electric Vehicle Society of Canada - evsociety.ca