NDP MPPs are lambasting the McGuinty government for delaying the approval of electric cars on Ontario roads and dragging its feet on tackling climate change.

With increasing numbers of Ontarians clamouring for access to the environmentally-friendly vehicles, the Ministry of Transportation has commissioned an independent safety study of low speed electric vehicles, even though British Columbia and Quebec already allow low-emission electric cars on their roads.

“The two other largest provinces have studied the issue and taken action. There is no reason for the McGuinty government to stall by studying the issue all over again,” said NDP Transportation Critic Gilles Bisson.

Road transportation is the fastest growing contributor to carbon emissions in Ontario, added NDP Environment Critic Peter Tabuns.

“The McGuinty government keeps saying climate change is an urgent problem and that we all must do our part. Now they are putting up an obstacle on an important way that people could actually make a difference,” noted Tabuns.

Throughout the Spring session of the Legislature, NDP caucus members advocated strongly for the approval of low-emission electric cars in Ontario.

“This is the way of the future in large urban centres. These cars are clean and they make sense. The McGuinty government needs to quit stalling and get these cars on the road sooner rather than later,” said Beaches-East York MPP Michael Prue, who got the ball rolling on the issue by sending a letter to Transportation Minister Jim Bradley in November 2007.