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Government to ban purchasing diesel and petrol cars by 2030

Government to ban purchasing diesel and petrol cars by 2030

The purchase of new petrol and diesel cars is to be banned by 2030.

Government legislation that would encourage people to move away from petrol and diesel powered vehicles is being prepared, according to the Sunday Business Post. Last year, just over 4 percent of vehicles bought in Ireland were electric or hybrids.

Barry Aldworth, from the AA, believes proper government investment is required to increase these numbers: "If we stay down that path of minimal action and doing the least we can, while still claiming to be progressive, 2030 isn't realistic. But if we make an effort on a government wide level to seriously invest in the technology needed for electric cars in this country, then I think 2030 can be realistic."

Speaking on The Week programme, WLR's Aobhinn Fallon said there is a "genuine" anxiety over the distance electric cars are capable of covering. A former owner of an electric car herself, she said several stops are necessary for long range trips - especially when they involve using a motorway.

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However her guest Mark Ó Cathasaigh, chair of the Waterford Green Party, told her that these worries can often be misplaced. "If you looked at miles per gallon in 1910 or 1020 it would have been absolutely terrible, and our battery technology is at 1910. When we get more people in electric cars battery technology is going to take off. Range is going to increase. You're making the argument about driving to Dublin, but I guess I drive to Dublin about five or six times a year. So should I choose my vehicle for the rest of the year based on five trips? ," he said.

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