Biofuels’ energy ratings don’t add up
The energy input needed to produce biofuels is considerable, from a quarter to six times the amount of energy biofuels actually produce.
Even if we gave up producing food, and turned over all arable land to producing biofuels, it would be insufficient for all of Ireland's vehicles. Furthermore, the consequences of road building and car manufacture, disposal, etc, remain.
The comparison with tobacco or alcohol taxes is spurious the State does not squander trillions of euro building pubs and providing facilities for smokers, but it does on roads.
The term "stealth tax" is disingenuous it is the cost of oil which is making petrol more expensive in real terms, petrol tax has decreased over the years.
Car use is growing at 8% pa in Ireland and doubling every five years in China. The idea that the world can continue to survive with more people driving bigger cars is insane biofuels or no biofuels.
This is a delusion driven by the media and politicians who have no technical knowledge, no comprehension of the figures, and quite unable to do the calculations.
Michael Job
Rossnagreana
Glengarriff
Co Cork.
