Green Commercial Vehicle Program Established in Ontario
A Green Commercial Vehicle Program is set to begin in Ontario. The Government of Ontario has announced that this program will offer rebates for the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles as well as fuel savings devices (side skirts, boat tails, cab heater and coolers, auxiliary power units, etc…). A breakdown of the available incentives is as follows:
The incentive program is part of Ontario’s Climate Change Action Plan, much of which is centered on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and our carbon footprint. Steven Del Duca, the Minister of Transportation, said in a statement that “We’re committed to working with our partners and local businesses to modernize the way we do business and keep Ontario an attractive and sustainable place to work.”
“This investment will make it easier for businesses with commercial fleets to purchase and use alternative-fuel vehicles and fuel-saving devices,” said Chris Ballard, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change. Applications will be accepted beginning early 2018. For more information on the available incentives, visit the Ministry of Transportation’s website:
2018 Canadian Deduction Limits and Expense Rates Announced
The Department of Finance Canada has announced the 2018 automobile expense deduction limits and the expense rates that are utilized for calculating operating expense benefits. A few highlights of the announcement include:
Changes for 2018
1. The limit on the deduction of tax-exempt allowances that are paid by employers to employees who use their personal vehicle for business purposes for 2018 will be increased by 1 cent to 55 cents per kilometer (CPK) for the first 5,000 kilometers driven, and to 49 CPK for each additional kilometer to reflect that, since the last change to this limit, the per kilometer costs associated with owning and operating an automobile have increased by roughly 1 cent. For the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon, the tax-exempt allowance is 4 cents higher, and will be increased to 59 CPK for the first 5,000 kilometers driven, and 53 CPK for each additional kilometer.
These allowances are intended to reflect the main costs of owning and operating an automobile, such as depreciation, financing, insurance, maintenance and fuel.
2. The general prescribed rate that is used to determine the taxable benefit of employees relating to the personal portion of automobile operating expenses paid by their employers will also accordingly be increased by 1 cent to 26 CPK. For taxpayers who are employed principally in selling or leasing automobiles, the prescribed rate used to determine the employee’s taxable benefit will be increased by 1 cent to 23 CPK.
The additional benefit of having an employer-provided vehicle available for personal use (i.e., the automobile standby charge) is calculated separately based on capital costs and is also included in the employee’s income.
Unchanged Provisions for 2018
The ceiling on the capital cost of passenger vehicles for capital cost allowance (CCA) purposes will remain at $30,000 (plus applicable federal and provincial sales taxes) for purchases after 2017. This ceiling restricts the cost of a vehicle on which CCA may be claimed for business purposes.
The maximum allowable interest deduction for amounts borrowed to purchase an automobile will remain at $300 per month for loans related to vehicles acquired after 2017.
The limit on deductible leasing costs will remain at $800 per month (plus applicable federal and provincial sales taxes) for leases entered into after 2017. This limit is one of two restrictions on the deduction of automobile lease payments. A separate restriction prorates deductible lease costs where the value of the vehicle exceeds the capital cost ceiling.
A link to the original announcement from the Department of Finance Canada is below.
We’re very proud of our partnership with ADESA auctions to raise funds in support of JDRF, the world leader in funding type-1 diabetes (T1D) research. This partnership has been in place for six years now and together we’ve raised over $250,000. Our contribution for 2017 totaled nearly $60,000!
T1D impacts countless families and it’s an honor to support an organization that is working tirelessly to find a cure for this disease.
This fundraising partnership is in addition to numerous other efforts that EMKAY utilizes to support this vital organization. It’s our goal to continually expand these efforts year-over-year. A link to donate to JDRF is below.
EMKAY a Top 5 Most Awarded at 2017 Best in Biz Awards
EMKAY has been named a winner in multiple categories at the 2017 Best in Biz Awards, the only independent business awards program judged each year by prominent editors and reporters from top-tier publications in North America.
We had a great year and ended up as one of the Top 5 Most Awarded! We are extremely proud of our team’s efforts to always excel and innovate. The categories in which EMKAY received awards are as follows:
Most Customer Friendly Company of the Year – Silver Support Department of the Year – Silver Blog of the Year – Gold
For a full list of gold, silver and bronze winners in Best in Biz Awards 2017, visit:
Since 2011, Best in Biz Awards, Inc. has made its mark as the only independent business awards program judged each year by a who’s who of prominent reporters and editors from top-tier publications from North America and around the world. Best in Biz Awards honors are conferred in two separate programs: North America and International, and in 65 categories, including company, team, executive, product, and PR and media. For more information, visit: Best in Biz Awards
Nov 2017
ELD Violations Won’t Impact CSA Scores During Transition
Federal officials have announced a welcome change to the forthcoming mandate that will require commercial trucks to install Electronic Logging Devices (ELD’s). The announcement states that if drivers are cited for non-compliance with the ELD rule during the transition period (December 18th- April 1st), the citation will be a “no points cite.” The result is that the violation will not affect the Safety Measurement System that relays data to the CSA scoring system. However, the fines attached to the non-compliance violations will still need to be paid.
Officials have realized that the considerable task of implementing and enforcing this change is not progressing as quickly as projected, so this update should help to alleviate some of the stress.
Nov 2017
Preventative Maintenance Costs Essentially Unchanged for 2017
The management of preventative maintenance expenses can make-or-break your fleet. While these repairs are essential in deterring the need for larger issues, it’s still important to do what you can to control these costs.
EMKAY recently participated in an Automotive Fleet article that covers how preventative maintenance costs have trended during 2017. The overall findings are that several factors have resulted in these costs remaining flat from 2016 to 2017. Check out the full article here!
Earlier this month Ford announced their plans to offer complimentary service on 1.4M Explorers due to the potential for exhaust/carbon monoxide to leak into the vehicle’s cabin. And while this hasn’t been labeled as a recall, the work will be completed at no charge.
Although the issue was discovered in Police Interceptor Utility vehicles, and was said to be due to third-party installers not filling holes whiles installing police equipment, the complimentary service is still issued to the public as a safeguard. The vehicles eligible for this service are 2011-2017 Explorers, regardless of the warranty status.
Ford also announced a recall on their chart-topping F-150. Due to faulty door latches, Ford has recalled 1.3M 2015-2017 F-150 and 2017 Super Duty trucks throughout North America. The issue is a result of a frozen door latch or a kinked actuation cable, which can cause the door to not open or close properly. While the door may appear to be closed, the latch may not be fully engaged and has the possibility of opening unexpectedly while driving.
They will address the issue by installing a water shield over the door latch. Ford will also ensure the actuation cables are in good working order and will replace them if needed. There will be no charge to owners for this work, and the recall reference number is 17S33.
Oct 2017
EMKAY’s ‘Elluminate Your Fleet’ Webinar Sessions are Back!
Looking for a fun way to stay up-to-date on all of the latest EMKAY features? Follow along with our Elluminate Your Fleet webinars in order to get an in-depth look at how to utilize specific tools.
These 20-minute sessions will provide you with the knowledge required to effectively utilize some of the unique features of EMKAY’s technology. This month’s session will cover Personal Mileage Reporting!
Click a link below on the corresponding date in order to join the webinar!
Sep 2017
Important OnStar Service for Hurricane-Impacted Areas
OnStar has activated their complimentary Crisis Assist services for OnStar equipped vehicles in the hurricane impacted areas. Pushing the blue OnStar button will connect drivers with a specially-trained advisor who can provide emergency assistance, directions to shelters and evacuation routes, and can even help contact family members. Those with OnStar-equipped vehicles who are not connected can press the blue OnStar button twice, ask an advisor for crisis assistance, and will then start to receive services.
Some commonly asked questions are as follows. Please encourage your drivers to use this if they are in the impacted areas.
What is included with the complimentary OnStar Crisis Assist services?
Thirty days of the top-level OnStar Guidance Plan and 30 Hands-Free Calling minutes are included for impacted subscribers. Additionally, if you have a vehicle equipped with OnStar 4G LTE, you will also receive the unlimited Wi-Fi data plan. With these services, our specially-trained advisors can help direct emergency services to your vehicle’s location and offer critical assistance until help arrives, provide evacuation routes and other navigation assistance, and assist in connecting you to loved ones and family members. You can also stay connected via hands-free calling using the built-in wireless service and will have access to data for your devices from the built-in Wi-Fi hotspot (eligible 2015MY and newer vehicles).
Who is eligible for complimentary OnStar Crisis Assist services?
Anyone who has an OnStar-equipped vehicle, and has either been impacted by Hurricane Harvey in the FEMA-designated disaster area or is volunteering or providing relief assistance in the impacted area such as first responders, disaster relief organizations, OnStar members and any of our partner organizations.
What if I’ve already been evacuated or I’m currently outside the impacted area?
If your vehicle is registered within the FEMA-designated disaster area, you can still receive complimentary Crisis Assist services. Additionally, if you are a first responder, disaster relief organization or volunteering to provide disaster relief, you are eligible for complimentary OnStar Crisis Assist services.
Do I need to currently have OnStar service to receive Crisis Assist services?
No. Regardless of whether you currently have active OnStar service, if you’ve been impacted by Hurricane Harvey and have an eligible OnStar-equipped vehicle, you are eligible for complimentary OnStar Crisis Assist services at no charge. If you currently are not connected to OnStar and have an OnStar-equipped vehicle, all you need to do is press your blue OnStar button twice, ask an advisor for crisis assistance, and accept the OnStar User Terms and Privacy Statement.
What happens if the blue OnStar Button does not work?
Please ask customers to try to push the red emergency button or call 1.888.4.ONSTAR (1.888.466.7827).
Aug 2017
Texas Registrations on Hold During Harvey
At this time, EMKAY has suspended contacting Texas drivers for any registration related requirements in order to allow them to focus on the safety of themselves and their families. Also, in light of the closure of many public offices, we are not sending any mailings to any Texas addresses. Should you or your drivers have any registration related inquires, or need for us to send a registration, please contact us at 800-621-2001.
It can be expected that roadside assistance and rentals throughout southern Texas will be hard to come by, but please contact our team in order to get assistance and we will do whatever we can to help.
For all fleets, with national fuel prices expected to rise due to the storm’s effect on the Gulf Coast refineries, be sure that your team is using EMKAY’s Fuel Station Locator via the Driver 360 app in order to locate the lowest prices in their area.
We hope that those of you who are in the storm’s path are safe and we will do what we can to aid in keeping your fleet operating at full capacity. Please contact us with any questions or concerns you may have.
Thank you for your interest in EMKAY, we will try and get back to as shortly as possible.
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