ICCRA has launched a new campaignThe Irish Car Carbon Reduction Alliance (ICCRA) has launched a new E-Way 2040 campaign as part of their aim to promote collaboration between industry, policy makers and motoring advocates to find a way to reach EU car carbon emission targets realistically.
The group who say that they represent the majority of car dealers in Ireland, have commissioned a new survey that shows that Irish consumers are deeply confused about the environmental impact of their cars and the options available to them. Almost 8 out of 10 think that the Irish Government’s proposed 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars is unachievable.
Denis Murphy, spokesperson for ICCRA, said:
“More than half of consumers (53%) are confused about the car options available to them and their impact on the environment. We also know that conflicting information on what is actually an environmentally friendly car is a significant concern to two thirds of Irish consumers. Furthermore, almost 9 out of 10 (86%) drivers admitted they don’t know the CO2 emissions from their current vehicle. These findings clearly show the widespread confusion among consumers, a factor which is only adding to uncertainty at a critical time as the economy begins to reopen.”
The study also revealed that 62% of consumers would be willing to consider buying a car with an internal combustion engine if it could be shown to be more environmentally friendly. However, 42% of respondents, rising to 60% among 18-24 year olds, stated that government’s planned 2030 combustible engine ban would stop them buying a diesel or petrol engine car in the next five years. When considering an electric vehicle, 56% of people said they are not willing to pay a premium to go electric. Probing further the survey highlighted that the lack of appropriate charging infrastructure (70%) and lack of sufficient time (57%) are key consumer barriers to going electric.
Mr Murphy said that as Coronavirus restrictions ease, the increased traffic would serve as a reminder of the need to incentivise immediate action to reduce fuel emissions. He believes that the best way to reduce emissions in the transport sector is to incentivise the replacement of old emissions-intensive cars with newer and more fuel-efficient models.
The group has launched a new E-Way 2040 website that provides consumers and motorists with a “jargon free online resource to learn more about the various engine options available on the market and a roadmap to starting their personal journey to zero car carbon emissions”.