Driving effective policy to reduce emissions

What action is being taken?

The motor industry is already moving towards zero emissions. Greener, more eco-friendly cars are produced year after year.

As EU members, we have worked to improve air quality and reduce emissions for decades. But real progress has been made in the last 20 years.

• Clean Air for Europe (CAFE)
  Since 2001, the car industry has driven innovation in engineering as part of the CAFE programme. Every year, cars become more fuel efficient, cleaner and produce fewer emissions.
• Paris Climate Agreement
  In December 2015, 197 countries signed a global agreement to tackle climate change. The Paris Agreement aims to reduce carbon emissions in a bid to keep global temperature rise this century well below 2%.
• EU commitments
  As part of the Paris Agreement, the EU is committed to reducing transport emissions by 90% by 2050. European car manufacturers are on board, pledging to stop production of internal combustion engine (ICE) cars by 2040.

Why did Ireland break ranks?

The Irish government launched their own Climate Action Plan in late 2019. The proposed ban on new ICE cars and a target of one million electric vehicles on Irish roads by 2030 is a big risk.

The plan is not aligned to the agreed European approach. It is unrealistic and counterproductive. Mixed messaging around the ban means consumers are confused. They risk making choices that will, in fact, keep carbon emissions high.

The 2030 ban will force car owners to hold on to their old cars. This will reduce sales of cleaner new cars, whether diesel, petrol, hybrid or electric.

Cars are on the right track

Driven by the Paris Agreement, cars have never been cleaner or more efficient. We are well on the road to zero emissions by 2040. A new diesel, petrol or hybrid car will help lower your carbon footprint as we drive down that road.

E-Way 2040 is the pragmatic plan Ireland needs to ensure the switch to zero emissions is done in a practical and affordable way.