The government must urgently act on the recommendations detailed in the Low Emission Vehicle Taskforce Phase 2 Report, according to FTA Ireland (FTAI), the organisation which speaks on behalf of the nation’s logistics sector. The report, released this week, sets out a clear path for government to take to assist the transport sector on its journey to decarbonisation, according to FTAI.
Aidan Flynn, General Manager of FTAI, comments: “Currently, our air quality poses a very real threat to human health and the logistics sector is keen to play its part in cleaning up the atmosphere we breathe. FTAI is calling for the government to act urgently on the recommendations provided by the Low Emission Vehicle Taskforce in its Phase 2 Report. FTAI engaged with the Taskforce for its research into the report; we can confidently say it sets out a viable and effective route for the government to take to accelerate the take-up of low carbon technologies in the transport sector.
“In the view of FTAI, the first step the government should take is to fund eco-driver training. This has the potential to boost fuel efficiency by up to 15% by improving driver behaviour. In turn, this would significantly reduce emissions. Really, this should have been identified as a critical solution in the report. This approach would appeal to businesses as they would profit from the cost-benefit of improved fuel efficiencies. This programme would also act as an education tool, helping to raise awareness of the alternative technologies available, in addition to helping to inform purchasing choices that would be beneficial in the future.”
Four of the key recommendations in the report are listed below:
- Establish a vehicle purchase grant for EV/CNG/LNG/Hydrogen fuelled HGC’s to support increased uptake of low emission vehicles
- Introduce a new reduced tolling incentive regime for CNG/LNG fuelled HCVs
- Consider extending the low excise rate of €2.60 per GI on natural gas as a vehicle fuel to allow for delays of infrastructure provision
- Consider extending the accelerated capital allowance (ACA) scheme for LNG/CNG vehicles beyond 2021
Mr Flynn continues: “In the view of FTAI, the key to transitioning transport to a low-emission industry is the development of infrastructure to support the fuelling of alternative fuels. To date, there is only one publicly available refuelling site in Ireland for CNG, but Networks Ireland has pledged to deliver 14 sites by 2020. This needs to become a reality – and fast – so that industry can trust that this is a viable option and make the necessary investment in new vehicles, and is of particular concern for those businesses that have committed to this fuelling option already. While CNG and LNG do offer a way for commercial fleet operators to improve the environmental performance of their vehicles, there must be a clear business case to provoke them to purchase this technology. After all, it is considerably more expensive that the diesel equivalent. Trust needs to be developed to ensure that the business case is matched with the ability to access the fuel.”
Mr Flynn continues: “We also are seeing an uptake in businesses purchasing second-hand lorries from the UK, as, due to the introduction of low emissions zones in their cities, many of these vehicles are now banned. But the purchase of these older vehicles – while tempting due to the affordability – must be discouraged as their environmental credentials are poor.”
FTAI’s TruckSafe programme – at Silver and Gold level – mandates that members are required to submit a three-year fuel efficiency management plan as part of the annual audit. Litres used, and Kilometres driven, are collected from members to the scheme each quarter. To date, TruckSafe members have saved over 2.5million litres of diesel fuel. This is the equivalent of over 7million Kg of CO2e[1].
For more information on the scheme please visit http://www.ftai.ie/membership/trucksafe/
FTA Ireland is a not-for-profit membership trade association for the Irish freight, passenger and logistics industries. We are wholly owned and governed by our members, and act solely in advancing their best interests. FTA Ireland covers all aspects of private and public freight transport, passenger transport and logistics supply chain, including road, rail, sea and air. FTAI represents some of the largest freight and passenger operators in Ireland, with more than 25,000 employees and 10,000 vehicles operating between them.
Notes for editors:
For further press information or comment please contact Aidan Flynn on + 353 87 354 6954
Follow FTA Ireland on Twitter @newsfromftai
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