- According to highland radio a South Donegal Deputy says petrol stations in the border counties will suffer if increases in the excise on fuel are not scrapped. The cost of petrol and diesel rose by 4 and 3 cent a litre this month with a further increase planned for August. The tax take from fuel was just under 3.8-billion-euro last year despite cuts to excise duties. Deputy Marian Harkin says petrol stations in the border region are being hit particularly hard https://highlandradio.com/2024/04/11/harkin-hits-out-at-continuing-fuel-excise-hikes/
- As reported by Ocean FM, there are further calls for excise fuel hikes to be scrapped to help people deal with the cost-of-living crisis. The cost of petrol and diesel rose by 4 and 3 cent a litre this month with a further increase planned for August. The tax take from fuel was just under 3.8-billion-euro last year despite cuts to excise duties. Independent TD for Sligo Leitrim Marian Harkin says petrol stations in the border region will be hit particularly hard by these hikes. https://www.oceanfm.ie/2024/04/11/further-calls-for-fuel-excise-hikes-to-be-scrapped/
- According to the Irish Times, Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures show new EV licensed vehicles, a proxy for sales, totalled 6,780 in the first three months of 2024. This was 9.7% down on the 7,513 recorded for the same period last year. The take-up of EVs has been frustrated by concerns over the fast degradation of batteries and the slow roll-out of charging stations. Both factors contribute to “range anxiety” among drivers. https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2024/04/10/switch-to-electric-cars-hits-speed-bump-with-further-decline-in-sales/
- As reported by the Irish Examiner the European Parliament has voted to pass a law to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from trucks, which will require most new heavy-duty vehicles sold in the EU from 2040 to be emissions-free. The law will enforce a 90% cut in CO2 emissions from new heavy-duty vehicles by 2040, meaning that manufacturers will have to sell a large share of fully CO2-free trucks, to offset any remaining sales of new CO2-emitting vehicles. "We are providing clarity for one of the major manufacturing industries in Europe and a strong incentive to invest in electrification and hydrogen," said Green MEP Bas Eickhout, parliament's lead negotiator on the policy. https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/economy/arid-41371744.html
- An opinion report in the Irish Examiner stated that the switch to electric motoring appears to have a hit a speed ramp with the number of newly licensed electric vehicles (EVs) down almost 10 p in the first quarter. Chief executive of the world’s largest oil company Saudi Aramco, Amin Nasse, recently called on nations to “abandon the fantasy” to phase out fossil fuels, adding the transition to renewable energy sources was “visibly failing”. However, the latest science on climate change is unequivocal: the world must eliminate fossil fuel-based energy systems — and fast. Such a phase-out requires international cooperation to restrict the supply of fossil fuels, including coal, oil and gas. https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/commentanalysis/arid-41371321.html
- As reported by Ocean FM the Dail was suspended earlier today after a row broke out between Donegal Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty and Finance Minister Michael McGrath. The row centred on a rise in fuel prices here and a further expected rise later this year. There’s major concern over the impact that this will have on?filling stations this side of the border with Deputy Pearse Doherty claiming that the likes of petrol and diesel will be 20 cents cheaper in the North. https://www.oceanfm.ie/2024/04/10/dail-suspended-as-doherty-mcgrath-battle-over-fuel-prices/
- According to Sky news China ramped up coal power capacity last year, according to new analysis, despite a pledge to "strictly control" the dirtiest fossil fuel. The country added 47.4 Gigawatts (GW) of new coal power in 2023, more than double the amount added by the rest of the world combined. https://news.sky.com/story/new-coal-plants-in-china-soar-despite-president-xis-pledge-to-strictly-control-dirtiest-fuel-13112101
- According to the Guardian new post-Brexit UK border controls coming into force later this month will cost British businesses ￡2billion and fuel higher inflation, according to a report warning that UK-EU trade will be damaged as a result. With less than a month before the introduction of new checks on animal and plant products from 30 April, the insurer Allianz Trade said the controls agreed under Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal could add 10% to import costs over the first year. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/apr/11/new-brexit-checks-to-cost-uk-business-2bn-and-fuel-inflation-report-finds
- According to BBC consumer prices in the US rose faster than expected last month, in a sign that the fight to slow inflation has stalled. Prices rose 3.5% over the 12 months to March, up from 3.2% in February, the US Labor Department said. Higher costs for fuel, housing, dining out and clothing drove the increase. Analysts warned that the lack of progress in curbing price rises will force the US central bank to keep interest rates higher for longer. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-68781482
