Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

792. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the work under way on preparing for the expansion of the application of hydrogen for cars and other energy uses in view of the difficulties with the need to recharge batteries in electric cars prohibiting their use for long journeys. [30078/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Traditionally, most vehicles in use have been fuelled by either petrol or diesel.  However, over the coming years, a transition to alternatively fuelled vehicles will be required in order to effect a substantial reduction in Ireland's overall transport emissions.  My Department published the National Policy Framework on Alternative Fuels Infrastructure for Transport in Ireland, in May of last year, which supports the deployment of alternative fuels in Ireland and assists in removing any infrastructural barriers that may prevent greater uptake of low emissions vehicles (LEVs).

While remaining technology-neutral in the context of promoting greater uptake of LEVs, the full electrification of the car fleet represents a feasible option in Ireland, where supporting grid infrastructure is developed. Advances in battery technology, increasing competition in the market and falling vehicle costs would suggest that electrification will be the predominant low emission choice for private car, taxis and commercial vans in the short to medium term. Biofuels will also continue to play a key role in decarbonisation while natural gas, along with some electrification, will provide an interim alternative solution for larger vehicles such as trucks and buses.

Transition to a hydrogen-based transport system is not expected over the short term as, for that fuel type, the costs of the refuelling infrastructure and associated vehicles are likely to remain prohibitive until the middle of the next decade;  investing in costly infrastructure too far ahead of the market could lead to early infrastructure becoming obsolete as the technology advances.  Nonetheless, fuel and vehicle technologies generally are evolving rapidly, so the feasibility and potential for supporting hydrogen infrastructure and incentivising fuel cell vehicles will be kept under review.

In this regard, the Deputy may recall that, in 2016 a dedicated LEV Taskforce was established to consider the range of measures and options available to Government to accelerate the uptake of low emitting alternatives.  Having initially focussed on electric vehicles, the Taskforce is now moving to broaden its scope for the second phase of its work, which will consider measures to promote fuels such as natural gas, liquid petroleum gas and hydrogen.