EU clears Spanish plan for green cars
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - A plan by Spain to grant interest rate subsidies for green cars has won approval from the European Commission, the European Union executive said.
"This (measure) will allow important investments for the future low carbon economy which could have been put on hold due to the financial and economic crisis," Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes said in a statement.
Under the temporary scheme, Spanish authorities may provide subsidized loans until the end of 2009 with a maximum term of two years to the car and car component industry for investments in products that meet EU environmental product standards.
Last month, the Spanish government approved a 4 billion euro ($5.3 billion) package to support its auto industry after layoffs and stoppages at plants. The Commission had already said this scheme and another car aid plan from Italy did not breach EU state aid or internal-market rules.
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B.C. Hydro adds more vehicle charging stations across southern B.C.
VANCOUVER - B.C. Hydro is expanding its network of electric vehicle charging stations.
The Crown utility says 28 new stations complete the second phase of its fast-charging network and are in addition to the 30 stations opened in 2016.
Thirteen of the stations are in Metro Vancouver, seven are on Vancouver Island, including one at the Pacific Rim Visitor Centre near Tofino, another is in Campbell River, and two have opened on the Coquihalla Highway at the Britton Creek rest area.
A further six stations are located throughout the East Kootenay and B.C. Hydro says the next phase of its program will connect…
