Agriland.ie reports that the end of diesel and petrol vehicles has been put on hold indefinitely.

As the world is trying to combat climate change, the idea of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles has been on the agenda for a long time. Diesel and petrol cars, considered major contributors to the problem, were expected to be phased out in many countries by 2030. However, a recent report by Agriland.ie suggests that the demise of these vehicles has been postponed indefinitely. This article will explore the factors that have led to this postponement, the implications of this delay, and what it means for the future of sustainable transportation.


The proposed ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2035 within the European Union has hit a stumbling block, as 13 countries are opposing the proposal. The ban was due to be ratified by the European Council in March, but the subject will now be revisited at an uncertain future date. The ban would have effectively prohibited the sale of cars with internal combustion engines (ICE), but opposition from countries, such as Germany and Italy, have caused a delay in its implementation. The eFuel Alliance has suggested a switch to carbon neutral efuels, which are produced from food waste and can be synthesised from captured CO2 and hydrogen. However, opposition to the proposed ban has caused the issue to become complex, as efuels are being suggested as the sole fuel source for new vehicles. Diesel sales have been declining in Ireland, whereas in Germany, a reduction in subsidies for electric vehicles led to an 82% decline in sales. Toyota believes that the world is not ready for electrification. Amidst this uncertainty, rural communities are relying on low-cost, reliable transport, and synthetic fuel may provide them with an extended future for ICE cars.


As the saying goes, change is the only constant, and the automotive industry is no exception. While the demise of diesel and petrol cars may have been postponed indefinitely for now, we can expect technological advancements and regulatory pressure to continue pushing the industry towards electrification. The shift towards cleaner, greener vehicles is not just a trend, it’s a necessity for a sustainable future. As consumers, we have the power to drive this trend forward by choosing electric vehicles and supporting sustainable transportation initiatives. Let’s work together towards a cleaner and healthier planet, one electric car at a time.