There was a packed house for the forum in Trinity College on 22 July 2010. Dr Laurence Gill welcomed everyone to Trinity and CILT Vice President Aidan Murphy stressed the importance of the forum to debate renewable fuel options.

CILT Future Transport Fuel Forum

Minister Ciaran Cuffe TD stressed the need for land use planning linked to transport. He also proposed the PSO grants for internal flights in Ireland to be ended – they currently receive higher grants per mile than rail travel. He also spoke of the need to tax aircraft fuel and to review our ports strategy. Biofuels and Electric vehicles both have important roles to play. And he concluded with a reminder that walking and cycling should be promoted – in Copenhagen 37% cycle to work.

Paul Mulvaney of ESB’s ecars outlined the environmental and energy advantages of electric cars. The ESB is seeking incentives and providing infrastructure in terms of charge points. All the major car manufacturers are launching electric cars. As the ESB moves to more generation by gas and wind the overall efficiencies for electric cars will increase.

Conor Faughnan of AA Ireland pointed out that Ireland is very much an “Oil Junkie” being in the top 10 in the world in terms of oil consumption per capita. He is testing an electric car himself, but believes hybrids are likely play an important role. Drivers want confidence in supply, range and performance along with reasonable prices. And in the long term Conor could see noiseless, driverless cars and zero road deaths!

Jerry Kiersey of Green Tiger Express stated that his fleet of truck run on 95% rape Seed Oil. This fuel is ideal for long distance trucking. But the 38c per litre tax on Rape Seed Oil is stopping hauliers investing in this Irish grown fuel. Yet in Bavaria grants have led to 60,000 trucks converting to Rape Seed Oil.

Patrick Callanan of Bord Gais spoke of the environmental, cost savings and noise reductions from using Natural Gas for vehicles. Madrid introduced Natural Gas for all its refuse turcks and reduced their fuel bull by 30% along with environmental and noise benefits. They are now planning to expand this to their busfleet. 

Dr Brian Caulfield of Trinity College noted that 37% of households had 2 cars and 12% had 3 or more cars. Yet the main criteria for choosing a new car remained reliability, safety and price, with CO2 emissions ranking 12th. He believes Electric vehicles will be mainly second cars and biofuels will be used in public service vehicles. More work needs to be done to determine just how green vehicles really are.