Services and Programs

Special Projects > 2004

Odyssey’s special projects are missions of a different nature, not just an effort to beat the clock and end up in the record books, but projects with diverse and unique objectives.

Mission Green (2004)

Odyssey conceptualized, developed and executed this cross-Canada drive in search of 85 environmental initiatives that would highlight Canadians’ concern and compassion for the environment.

The ‘Mission Green’ team drove a General Motors’ Chevy Silverado Parallel Hybrid Pickup Truck (PHT) which offers a 15%* savings (*2004 NRCan Fuel Consumption Values) in fuel consumption, and a GMC E-85 capable Yukon, which, when fuelled with Iogen Corporation’s cellulose ethanol, has lower net GHG emissions than any of the hybrid vehicles on the market today.

The drive set a record for being the first time a vehicle using cellulose-based ethanol has been driven across the country. It also marked the first time a hybrid truck was driven from coast-to-coast. In total, the Mission Green vehicles logged more than 30,000 kilometres.

Mission Green was accomplished in two months beginning at the Halifax Harbour on August 16, 2004 and ending at the Victoria Harbour, on October 20, 2004.

A bilingual website (missiongreen.com) communicated the journey to Canadians with daily journal updates describing each initiative, the people involved and the benefits to the environment. As the tour crossed the country, the team and its mission received newspaper, radio and television media coverage.