Sir, – The latest green “flash” registration plate scheme for motorists being promoted by Green Party Minister for the Environment and Transport Eamon Ryan is yet another State-sponsored green flag for greenwashing (“Green ‘flash’ registration plates for motorists on Irish roads with zero emission vehicles”, News, November 4th).
To be eligible for this scheme, vehicles must emit zero emissions at the tailpipe.
It is true that all electric vehicles (EVs) are emission-free at the tail pipe.
But except for those with home solar charging facilities, all other EVs are charged from the national grid.
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The national grid generates electricity composed of a mixture of oil, natural gas, imports from Britain (including nuclear), renewables and hydro.
Because of prolonged and severely becalmed weather currently and over the last number of weeks, the average daily wind energy generated by wind is of the order of 10 per cent of demand or around 5 GWh. The result is that over 90 per cent of electricity from the grid is being made up of a mix of fossil fuels and imports.
EVs are charged from an energy grid largely fuelled by oil, natural gas and imports. – Yours, etc,
JOHN LEAHY,
Cork.