The road not taken – delaying a ban on the sale of new fossil fuel cars will reduce demand for EVs – Farrell

A delay to the planned ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, deriving from an EU Directive, will hinder public ambition to reach our emissions targets, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Fine Gael Climate Action Spokesperson and Dublin Fingal TD, Alan Farrell said that the Government had planned to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030. However due to EU competition regulations, this ban will only take effect when the wider EU bans these vehicles in 2035.

“The extensive and ambitious goals we have set to cut emissions in Ireland are challenging and difficult to meet, but they reflect the urgency that Fine Gael believes is necessary to limit the worst effects of Climate Change,” Deputy Farrell said.

“Under Fine Gael, the Climate Action Plan 2019 introduced a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030.

“The efforts to reduce emissions from our transport sector has been enhanced in each year and has included the target of reaching almost 1 million electric vehicles (EVs) on Irish roads by 2030. While take up of these vehicles has been strong, a delay to the ban on fossil fuel cars has the potential to provide a disincentive for consumers to opt for EVs and thus reduce demand.

“A rapid decarbonisation across all nations is needed to address one of the most existential crises we have ever faced. Every effort must be made to ensure that we hit our emissions targets without undue delay.”

Deputy Farrell added: “Allowing an additional 5 years of sales for fossil fuel cars will slow the rate of decarbonisation in Ireland, resulting in more private car emissions staying in our environment for longer.

“The price of delaying any climate action policy will have significant consequences for the future, we must find ways to deliver just-change in the most timely manner.”