Fuel support payments will be given to farmers and agricultural contractors by the end of June as part of a Government scheme in the wake of the recent protests.
Combined with excise cuts announced previously, the package will see an effective cut of €274 in the purchase of 1,000 litres of green diesel.
Professor in Transportation Brian Caulfield told Behind the Story these fuel cuts are needed as Ireland relies on road transport more than most countries.
"Ireland has the lowest rail freight in the EU of less than 3%," he said.
"These fuels are required because there isn't the alternative there."
Energy grants
Tánaiste Simon Harris recently asked officials at the Department of Finance to consider payments that could be made available towards the structural costs of changing to more sustainable energy and electricity supplies.
Prof Caulfield said he would like to see more equity there.
"There seems to be very little nuance in any of the way they give out these grants," he said.
"We should really look at the way in which we’re giving out these grants – they’re not equitable.
"It’s the more wealthy parts of the country that seem to be benefitting the most."
Prof Caulfield explained that many rural parts of the country "don’t have the public transport alternatives to switch over and decarbonise".
He said while Ireland could give certain grants to people who live rural areas, as suggested by Social Justice Ireland, "we’re very scared to pilot things in this country – we’re very scared to go out there and see what would happen."
EV buses sitting idle
Meanwhile, more than 130 State-funded electric double-decker buses remain unused for over a year and a half because there is nowhere to charge them. Planning permission and tendering delays are holding up the installation of chargers.
Prof Caulfield said the buses are losing value as they sit there.
"These buses now are maybe four or five years old – you’re getting into the second-hand market," he said.
"The range of these buses, typically on average is around 300 to 500 kms on a charge.
"The newer buses that are out now are getting up above 700 kms."
Prof Caulfield added that the buses "are not voting machines, they will be used at some point – they just need to be plugged in".
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You can also find episodes on Apple here, or on Spotify here.
