Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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23. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the proposed introduction of E10 petrol in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18397/23]

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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24. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to clarify that following the potential introduction of E10 petrol in Ireland, whether or not E5 petrol will still continue to be supplied in order to cater for the thousands of pre-Euro V engine vehicles still being used by many motorists on Irish roads today, in view that if E5 petrol were to be discontinued nationally thousands of vehicles could not be operated which would force many motorists to buy a newer vehicle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18398/23]

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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25. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport what action his Department is taking to ensure that motorists will not be directly affected by the proposed introduction of E10 petrol, in view that many motorists currently operate older vehicles compatible to E5 petrol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18399/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 to 26, inclusive, together.

The move to E10 as the standard grade of petrol in Ireland was signalled in November 2021 when I published the Renewable Fuels for Transport Policy Statement 2021-2023. Following a 28 day statutory consultation period on the draft Regulations and consideration of responses and stakeholder feedback, I made these Regulations on 1 April. The regulations will be kept under review within the context of the development and implementation of the Renewable Transport Fuel Policy.

E10 petrol as standard is one of several transport measures to achieve a 50% reduction in transport emissions by 2030 - a projected 1.08 MtCO2eq abatement in greenhouse gas emissions through increasing biofuel blending to E10 (10% Ethanol) and B20 (20% Biodiesel) equivalent as set out in Climate Action Plan 2023, with an interim target of E10/B12 equivalent by 2025. In 2022, approximately 307m litres (9.6 PJ) of biofuel was placed on the market.

Moving to E10 will bring an immediate climate-change mitigation measure using the existing vehicle fleet. Since 2009, E10 petrol as standard has been rolled out across 15 European countries as well as the US and Australia. The new regulations will also ensure Ireland’s petrol supply will now align with the standard petrol supplied in Northern Ireland since last year, and in Great Britain since 2021.

All vehicles can operate on an E10 petrol blend and it is safe to do so. In some older, pre-2011, vehicles (predominantly pre-2003) sustained use may result in more frequent maintenance, for example of engine seals and hoses, but it does not mean that they cannot use E10. This has been borne out by the experience from those jurisdictions where E10 and higher ethanol blends have been used widely for a prolonged period of time. All vehicle owners and operators are required to maintain their vehicles to operating and roadworthy standards. Further Information concerning individual vehicle types can be obtained in operating manuals, information on vehicle’s manufacturer websites, or inside the fuel cap (on newer vehicles).

The annual decline of petrol cars along with the increased uptake of zero-emission vehicles (e.g., EVs) is likely to reduce the number of affected vehicles even further over the next decade. At this point in time, Ireland’s vehicle fleet is predominantly diesel (c.63% at end 2022) and of the c.1million petrol vehicles, there is a very low level of older vehicles (c.2.4% including vintage and less than 1% vintage/classic) that are pre-2011 (predominantly pre-2003/pre EURO V standard).

Consultation with 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 or a higher octane petrol at forecourts in Ireland. However, specialist supply of E5 can still be offered in the market if sufficient demand exists. After 1 July when the draft regulations are to be operational, E5 will not however be eligible for RTFO certificates under the new regulations.

To ensure public awareness of the change, my Department is continuing to run an E10 public information campaign, through advertising at forecourts, print, radio, digital and social platforms. The gov.ie/E10 website is the main point of reference for further information and will continue to be in advance of the move to E10.