The prohibition on purchasing diesel and petrol cars from 2030 is totally unfair and unrealistic in the context of the cost, durability, and reliability – according to Rural Independent group member Deputy Danny Healy Rae.
“Electric cars are in no way as durable as petrol and diesel cars and the infrastructure is simply not in place for charging electric cars,” he continued.
Deputy Healy Rae said that there should be no notion of compelling people to buy or use electric cars.
Value for Money Options
“If electric cars were competitive and were a real option people would not have to be forced to purchase them. People always buy what is value for money and durable.
“If they were really competitive, I would have no problem with them but it’s clear that they are not at the present time.
“Until the proper technology is developed, and these cars are comparable in every way there should be no need to stop people buying diesel and petrol cars.
“It’s very clear that by going down this route that the Government knows that electric cars are not currently a competitive option.
Targets Completely Unrealistic
“The government’s targets for Electric Vehicles are completely unrealistic. There is an initial figure of 195,000 by 2025, followed by a further 750,000 in 2026-2030.
“The Government is not taking into consideration the ongoing financial difficulties already facing families due to the ever -worsening cost-of-living crisis. People simply cannot afford the added cost of an electric car.
“It is ludicrous to continue with this policy when at present there are amber alerts every day to say we don’t have electricity to run our homes or businesses not to mind talking about operating additional cars by electricity.
Government not Considering Options
“We don’t have the infrastructure in place to deal with more electric cars. The Government is not prepared to consider other options which would reduce emissions such as adding bio-fuels to the diesel and convert petrol cars to gas.
“They are aware of these options but are trying to bully their way to get the public to buy expensive electric cars.
“People simply cannot afford the cost of an electric car which cost approximately €38,000 when a good second-hand petrol or diesel car could be bought for a fraction of the cost.
Electric Car Battery Disposal Costs
“Also considering the batteries of electric cars need to be replaced after five years and actually would cost the same as a good second-hand car.
“It also costs a lot to dispose of the batteries. The Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, and Green Party target is pressuring ordinary people to have one million electric cars on Irish roads by 2030.
“This is not practical as people cannot afford a new electric car and there is no secondhand market for these vehicles. This policy places enormous financial pressures on families.”
Constituents Own Electric Cars
“There are many constituents, who already own electric cars, are telling me that they are going back to diesel and petrol cars, due to a lack of charging points or poor battery range when travelling long journeys with the electric vehicles.
“The banning of diesel and petrol cars impacts people in rural areas in particular. While there are public transport options in urban areas there is a lack of public transport options in many rural areas and people have no option but to drive in particular in rural areas.
Anti Rural Agenda
“This is yet another example of the Government’s anti rural agenda.
“I am now appealing to the government to consider all options before forcing people to buy expensive electric cars.
“It’s a downright disgrace what is happening with good petrol and diesel cars being sent for scrapping. This is wilful waste, and I was always told that ‘wilful waste makes woeful want.’ concluded Deputy Healy Rae.
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