Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The move to E10 has been signalled since 2021 in the renewable transport fuel policy. Moving to E10 petrol as standard will bring an immediate climate change mitigation measure using the existing vehicle fleet. The Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, made regulations for E10 on 1 April 2023 and these will be fully operational by 1 July. The regulations will be kept under review under the ongoing implementation of the policy. E10 petrol as standard has been rolled out across 15 European countries since 2009, as well as in the US and Australia. Ireland’s petrol supply will now align with Northern Ireland and Great Britain. I have been informed that all vehicles can operate on E10 and it is safe to do so. In some older vehicles, sustained use may result in more frequent maintenance, but it does not mean that they cannot use E10. This has been borne out by experience in other jurisdictions. All vehicle owners and operators are required to maintain their vehicles to operating and roadworthy standards.

The annual decline of petrol cars and increased uptake of zero-emission vehicles is likely to reduce the number of affected vehicles even further over the next decade or so. Of the circa 1 million petrol vehicles in Ireland, there are fewer pre-2011 vehicles. Circa 2.4% of older vehicles are pre-2011, of which less than 1% are vintage or classic cars. Consultation with the industry indicated that the vast majority of suppliers do not have the storage or distribution systems to supply both an E5 and an E10 petrol grade at forecourts. However, specialist supply of E5 can still be offered in the market if sufficient demand exists. After 1 July, supply of E5 will not be eligible for renewable transport fuel obligation, RTFO, certificates. E10 petrol as standard is one of several transport measures being used to achieve a 50% reduction in transport emissions by 2030 through increasing biofuel blending to E10, 10% ethanol, and B20, 20% biodiesel, equivalent by 2030 as set out in Climate Action Plan 2023, with a 2025 interim target of E10 and B12 equivalent, supporting a projected 1.08 megatonne CO2 equivalent of carbon abatement. I will give more detail later.

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