Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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645. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to allow consumers who choose to utilise renewable compressed natural gas made from biomass to fuel their vehicles the same benefits as those being extended to electric cars in the interest of encouraging rural transport changes for which range anxiety is a major issue. [7001/19]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Firstly, I would highlight to the Deputy that battery technology in electric vehicles (EVs) has substantially developed over recent years. Models currently available in Ireland can achieve ranges of up to 400km on a single charge. As battery technology continues to improve, it can be assumed that in time all consumers, including those based in very isolated rural areas, will be able to confidently transition away from traditionally fuelled vehicles to EVs. It is clear that this transition is already underway, with a marked increase in EV sales in the first month of this year. Of course, EVs are not the only alternative fuel or technology available to reduce transport emissions. A wider range of alternative fuels and technologies, particularly for the heavy duty sector, must be incorporated into the national fuel mix if we are to decarbonise the sector.

The potential future role of compressed natural gas (CNG) and biomethane is currently being evaluated by the Low Emission Vehicle Taskforce, which is jointly chaired by my Department and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. CNG is particularly considered a suitable alternative to diesel in the freight sector. It is reported to emit few emissions, particularly NOx, SOx and particulate matter and importantly, acts as a pathway fuel to renewable biomethane which can dramatically reduce CO2 emissions in the transport sector. The anaerobic digestion industry, which produces biomethane, is also an important developing industry which could support a circular economy between the transport and agricultural sectors, while improving national fuel security and contributing towards sectoral targets to 2030 under the Renewable Energy Directive.

It is important to note that a number of valuable measures are already in place to encourage the uptake of CNG and biomethane vehicles in Ireland. In Budget 2015 the Government committed to maintaining the duty levels for natural gas and biomethane as a propellant at the EU minimum rate of €2.60 per GJ for a period of eight years, putting natural gas in a very competitive price position with diesel. In Budget 2019 an accelerated capital allowance scheme was also introduced for gas-propelled vehicles and related equipment. This enables businesses to write down the purchase cost of such vehicles or equipment up-front in the year of purchase rather than spread over 8 years. Furthermore, the on-going deliberations of the Low Emission Vehicle Taskforce will include, inter alia, the role of further incentives, potential obligation schemes, and the requirement for additional fuelling infrastructure in promoting alternative and low emitting fuels including CNG. It is expected that the Taskforce will deliver its findings and recommendations to the Government later this year.