Will the sale of new petrol and diesel cars be banned from 2030? In 2019, as part of the Climate Action Bill, the government announced that it intended to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 in order for Ireland to meet its emissions targets carbon Despite the Government’s ambitions, however, the ban would never be possible without a change in EU legislation, as no legislation banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars is currently allowed to apply year 2030. An EU-wide ban should be implemented mainly for a ban to be introduced in Ireland.
When is the EU ban?
In order to achieve climate neutrality in Europe by 2050, the EU Parliament supported the European Commission’s proposal for zero emissions from new cars and vans by 2035. However, although it had reached a consensus on the issue and the final vote should have been a simple procedure. , Germany’s Transport Minister Volker Wissing said he would not support plans to effectively ban new cars with internal combustion engines from 2035 unless Brussels exempts vehicles running on synthetic fuels. A deal was struck between Brussels and Berlin and the ban received final approval last month. The EU Commission has yet to outline how sales of cars running on synthetic fuels will continue after 2035.
What are synthetic fuels?
Synthetic fuels are fuels that are created from renewable energy sources or other carbon-neutral resources. They are designed to provide a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels.
What will happen to current petrol and diesel cars if a ban is introduced?
Any ban that is introduced will only affect new cars, not existing ones. If you buy a new petrol or diesel car now, you can drive it until the end of its useful life. However, given that the average lifespan of a car is around 15 years, if all cars are to be CO2 neutral by 2050, there would need to be a ban by 2035.
Top tip: When the EU-wide law is introduced to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, it will still be possible, as proposed, to buy and sell second-hand petrol and diesel cars and fuel them.
Got a question for our motoring editor? Contact Geraldine: email sundaymotors@independent.ie
