Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 4 Oct 2000

Vol. 523 No. 2

Written Answers. - Environmental Policy.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

175 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the estimated reduction in oil consumption and reduction in polluting gases of the conversion of a car with typical fuel consumption and typical mileage from petrol or diesel to gas; the estimated capital cost of the conversion; and if he will comment on the desirability of promoting this through public policy. [20880/00]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. D. Wallace)

From January 2001, EU Directive 1999/94/EC relating to the availability of consumer information on fuel economy and CO2 in respect of the marketing of new passenger cars requires the display of a label indicating fuel economy and carbon dioxide, CO2, emissions at the point of sale of all new cars.

Emissions factors for carbon monoxide, CO, nitrogen oxides, NOx, and volatile organic compounds, VOCs, for vehicles, classified by category – passenger car, light duty vehicles, heavy duty vehicles and motorcycles – by size of engine and by emissions control technology applicable at the time of first entry into service, are set out in tables C-5 to C-7 of Emissions to Air 1990-1998 – Estimation Methods, Trends and Challenges, EPA, 2000. Copies are available in the Oireachtas Library.

It is evident that any estimation of the changes in emissions arising from the conversion of the vehicle fleet in whole or in part to liquefied petroleum gas or compressed natural gas is complex. It is recognised, nevertheless, that a greater pen etration of these fuels has the potential to reduce emissions of certain pollutants. As regards CO2, the main greenhouse gas emission from transport, more significant reductions would be expected from a conversion to CNG rather than LPG.

The capital cost of conversion of a car from petrol or diesel to gas is a commercial matter between the service provider and the customer.

I am committed to promoting the use of environmentally clean fuels and my Department liaises with the Departments of Finance and Public Enterprise in this regard. In budget 1999 the Minister for Finance reduced the VAT inclusive excise duty of LPG by 1.8p per litre. There is no excise duty on CNG.