Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
220. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport the plans that are in place to replace E5 fuel with E10; the timescale for such a change and if arrangements have been made for classic cars who cannot use E10; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42816/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe use of biofuels is currently one of the main pillars of land transport decarbonisation. Since 2010, increasing volumes of biofuels have been introduced to the Irish conventional fuel mix through a biofuel blending obligation on fuel suppliers. The obligation ensures that a certain percentage of the motor fuel placed on the market comes from renewable sources, for example bioethanol and biodiesel. In 2020 alone, 239 million litres of biofuels replaced about 209 million litres of fossil fuels, avoiding approximately 520 KtCO2eq. GHG emissions.
Biofuels will remain a core transitional measure for medium-term reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in road transport. This is particularly so for hard to abate sectors such as heavy-duty vehicles, where alternative transport energy and technology are at early and varying stages of development.
The current biofuel obligation (which will be renamed the renewable transport fuel obligation in 2023) for the 2022 obligation period is 13% by volume. As set out in Renewable Fuels for Transport Policy Statement, the overall blending obligation will continue to be increased on a graduated basis to support the Climate Action Plan 2021 target of an approximate renewable fuel blend of E10 (i.e. 10% bioethanol in petrol) /B20 (ie 20% biodiesel in diesel) by 2030.
The switch to E10 as the standard grade for petrol is one of a number of policy actions set out in the Renewable Fuels for Transport Policy Statement that will help reduce the overall amount of fossil fuel that is used to power road transport in Ireland to support a 50% reduction in transport emissions by 2030. Legislation is currently being developed to mandate E10 as the standard grade of petrol in Ireland. My Department is engaging with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications on this legislation.
Limitations in the storage and distribution systems for petrol in Ireland may mean there is reduced availability of E5. Technical considerations for the implementation of E10 form part of my Department's ongoing engagement with fuel suppliers and stakeholders. Consumers are at the forefront of my mind and, as such, the public information campaign around the transition to E10 endeavours to ensure that they are engaged with in a positive and proactive manner given the importance the roll out has for them as part of the ongoing decarbonisation of transport.
