Ontario is striving to strengthen their economy and protect the environment at the same time. Now with some help, they may have just taken a big step in that direction.

California-based company Better Place will set up an office in the Canadian province in a new initiative that is meant to expedite the process of getting electric vehicles on the road. A study to be released in May will take a look at possible financial incentives, preferred access to the transportation grid, the public education and promotion of electric vehicles in Canada and improved procurement policies that could help electric vehicles transition into fleet services more smoothly.

Better Place plans to build an electric car demonstration and education center in Toronto as part of the program, and estimates that every 10,000 electric vehicles on the road will offset more than 40,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year. One of Better Place's big initiatives is offering subscribers an open network of battery exchange stations and charge spots. Bullfrog Power, a local provider, will supply the electricity using local renewable resources.

Watch the video below for more details!

» The Auto Channel