Ireland urged to invest in public transport and EV charging to cut emissions and fuel shock exposure

Ireland's Climate Change Advisory Council has called for faster investment in public transport, electric vehicle charging, and grid capacity to reduce the country's reliance on fossil fuels. Transport accounts for 42% of Ireland's energy demand and 22% of national emissions, leaving it vulnerable to global price spikes and geopolitical crises. The council warns that fossil fuel shocks are not one-off events and that sustained investment in real alternatives is needed to protect households and businesses. The council recommends targeted support for lower-income and car-dependent households, maintaining planned carbon tax increases, and expanding EV charging infrastructure which remains below the EU average. It also stresses the need to climate-proof roads and rail against extreme weather. The government's emergency fuel measures were criticized as not sufficiently targeted, while the EV purchase incentive was welcomed as a positive step.