- Reported by The Irish Independent, BYD, which overtook Tesla late last year as the biggest global EV maker, is about to raise the stakes in the electric vehicle market. The Chinese manufacturer announced plans last month to bring its Seagull hatchback to Europe next year. The car offers premium features like a rotating touch screen and wireless phone charging – and in China it sells for less than €9,250. Even after tariffs and modifications to meet EU standards, BYD executives expect to sell the Seagull for less than €20,000 on the continent. https://www.independent.ie/business/technology/fancy-a-new-ev-for-under-20k-thats-what-chinas-byd-will-charge-for-its-new-hatchback-in-europe/a2021502147.html
- According to Agriland, The Irish Farmers’ Association has called for any fall in wholesale diesel price to be immediately passed onto the end user. The chair of the association’s Farm Business Committee, Bill O’Keeffe made the comments as first cut silage season kicks off around the country. “We are entering into one of the busiest times of the year in terms of machinery work both for farmers and agri contractors. Given how tight cashflow is on farms at the moment, it’s critical that any reductions in wholesale diesel prices are immediately passed onto the end users”. https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/any-fall-in-wholesale-diesel-price-should-be-passed-on-okeeffe/
- The Irish Times reports that stalling EV sales in Europe could mean plug-in hybrids will be around for longer. Thomas Sch?fer, head of the Volkswagen brand, has said the company will extend the lives of its plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) models for those consumers for whom fully electric is still a step too far. Also highlighted in the article, Anna Krajinska, from eco think tank Transport & Environment, said: “delaying electric car investments to focus on PHEVs is a very risky strategy. At best, it might bolster short-term profits but more certainly it will jeopardise European carmakers’ future”. https://www.irishtimes.com/motors/2024/05/22/ford-and-vw-may-extend-the-life-of-combustion-engines-as-europeans-slow-to-embrace-evs/
- Detailed in a profile piece by The Irish Times, Sarah Cosgrove of Restore Innovation speaks on helping offshore energy developers factor the impact on nature into their planning process, and the pioneering behind driving Ireland’s sustainability and renewable energy goals. She also touches on development costs, and how digital innovation in the energy sector runs at substantial price. https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2024/05/23/helping-offshore-energy-developers-factor-the-impact-on-nature-into-their-planning-process/
- RTé reports small scale and community projects who generate power from solar and wind power are set to receive increased financial rewards under plans announced by the Minister for Energy today. The Small-Scale Renewable Energy Support Scheme (SRESS) will see farmers, small firms and communities who produce their own electricity receive more attractive fixed tariffs. The plan includes three community rates and three SME rates for both solar and wind. https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2024/0522/1450707-small-scale-renewables-producers-to-get-bigger-rewards/
- Reported by The Guardian, Democrats from two powerful committees are urging Joe Biden’s justice department to investigate the fossil fuel industry over its decades-long attempts to instil doubt surrounding the climate crisis. In a letter addressed to the attorney general, Merrick Garland, Senate budget committee chair, Sheldon Whitehouse, stated “we believe that there is adequate evidence that fossil fuel industry companies and trade associations may have violated one or more federal statutes”. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/may/22/democrats-investigation-fossil-fuel-industry
