Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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262. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the work of his Department to increase and support the use of E10 fuels; if his attention has been drawn to the safety or incompatibility concerns with respect to E10 fuels in certain models of cars and vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7706/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The increase in bioethanol in petrol to E10 by 2025 is one of several transport sector measures towards achievement of 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, as set out in the Climate Action Plan, alongside measures for increasing sustainable mobility, public and active travel, and electrification of road transport.

The move to E10 was supported by Ministerial Regulations in 2023 establishing a minimum 5.5% ethanol in petrol placed upon the market from 1 April 2023. In making the regulations consideration was given to the responses received through a statutory 28-day consultation on the draft regulations, the impact on fuel prices, and other economic and environmental impacts.

In tandem with introduction of the regulations, my Department ran an E10 public information and awareness campaign through advertising and the gov.ie/E10 webpage remains the main point of reference for further information.

The 2023 policy intervention is seeing the desired results with a 9% volume blending of ethanol in petrol in 2024 (up from 4.9% volume blending in 2022) as recorded by the National Oil Reserves Agency, which administers the renewable transport fuel obligation.

The policy and regulation supporting the move to E10 takes into account the overriding consideration of the public good in decarbonising transport through increasing renewable fuels, an objective of the European Renewable Energy Directive. Increasing the bioethanol blend in petrol up to 10% brings Ireland in line with most European countries and the UK, where E10 petrol is already the standard petrol that is sold.

The experience from jurisdictions where E10 and higher ethanol blends have been widely used for a prolonged period has not indicated issues of damage to petrol engines as a result of E10 use. Some older vintage vehicles were not manufactured with certification for E10 use, but it does not mean they cannot use E10. All vehicle owners and operators are required to maintain their vehicles to operating and roadworthy standards. The AA has published guidance assuring the use of E10, with advice for the maintenance, use and storage of some older vehicles and equipment.

My Department is currently updating the Renewable Transport Fuel Policy for the period 2025-2027, which will include a revised trajectory of renewable transport fuel blending rates responding to increased European targets in the Renewable Energy Directive effective in mid-2025. The draft policy will be published for consultation later this year.