Aidan Flynn: Road freight faces a decarbonisation challenge

The Climate Action Plan proposes a 10% reduction in emissions from the heavy goods road freight sector by 2030

As it's an island, Ireland relies on strong maritime and aviation connectivity with the world, let alone road freight connectivity. Stock picture: iStock

Transport accounts for approximately 18% of Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions. Diesel-powered heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and buses produce 38% of our road transport emissions.

The road to transition to alternative fuels that will produce zero emissions is recognised as difficult for the HGV operator fleets due to the limited supply of affordable and available alternatively-fuelled vehicles, the significant cost differential between new fuel and traditional diesel vehicles, and the current lack of availability of infrastructure to support a sustained transition.