Vol. 483 No. 3
71 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the measures, if any, he has to promote the sale and use in Ireland of alternative-technology lower-emission automotive engines, particularly in passenger cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20223/97]
Alternative technology — electric, solar fuel cell, etc. — automotive engines whose sale and use could be encouraged are not readily available on the automotive market internationally. Research and development of alternatives to conventional technology is being carried out by the automotive industry worldwide. Prototypes have been developed and some limited scale testing has been carried out. However, practical and cost effective applications for use in passenger cars are generally not developed sufficiently for successful marketing to be undertaken.
The thrust of policies to reduce vehicle emissions within the EU since 1970 has been, and continues to be, based on vehicle type approval and emissions standards. Successively more stringent standards for passenger and goods vehicles have been laid down, and the automotive industry complied with them through enhanced emission controls applied to existing engine technolgy in the absence of adequate alternative technologies. Ireland continues to comply with all EU vehicle emission control directives.
