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File photo. Toyota Yaris Bloomberg via Getty Images

Toyota to cease all production of diesel cars this year

It said sales of diesel cars have fallen dramatically in Ireland.

JAPANESE CAR MAKER Toyota has said that it will phase out production of all diesel engine cars by the end of this year.

With sales of diesel cars falling in Ireland, the company said it would help to contribute to a zero emissions society with its decision.

Toyota will now focus on making self-charging hybrid cars that it says are being purchased more and more in the Irish market.

It said that diesel passenger car sales have seen a 17% year-on-year decline between January 2017 and 2018, with sales of diesel cars only 20% of its overall sales, compared to 60% just a few years ago.

Toyota Ireland said that sales of hybrid cars now makes up 50% of its Irish market.

Its CEO here, Steve Tormey said that the move will “help deliver cleaner air quality for our future and that of our children’s children”.

Commenting on the decision, Minister for the Environment Denis Naughten said: “As a country we have no option but to move towards a zero emissions vehicle society to help protect our environment, improve our health and to ensure the next generation doesn’t suffer from complacency or inaction now.

Climate change requires all of us to make changes and Toyota’s initiative will significantly help lead us on our low-carbon journey.

Ireland has already said it will seek to curtail the sale of diesel cars in the future and a number of other car manufacturers have already begun moving to no- or low-emission vehicles.

Volkswagen says it will invest €34 billion in new technologies by 2022. Like other traditional carmakers, Volkswagen is stepping up its focus on the cleaner, smarter vehicles of the future, racing to catch up with US tech giant Tesla which has a head-start in the area.

France has formally said that it will end sales of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2040 and Volvo Cars plans to start phasing out production of conventional petrol-only cars from 2019, with all new models to be electric or hybrid from that date.

Ireland has already been warned that it is unlikely to meet its own targets on reducing carbon emissions, and was recently ranked the worst performing country in Europe for taking action against climate change.

Read: The Paris Climate Agreement is REALLY expensive… but it could end up saving us money

Read: Irish cities among worst affected in Europe, say flooding predictions

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137 Comments
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    Mute tom McCormack
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    Mar 5th 2018, 8:31 PM

    Hybrid cars are extremely complex to repair and always needs to go back to the main dealer for repair. Beware this sales pitch.

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    Mute Nick Allen
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    Mar 5th 2018, 8:37 PM

    @tom McCormack:

    But they are also very reliable, particularly Toyota’s. JD Power has many Toyota Hybrids at top of the reliability in their class.

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    Mute Jarlath Murphy
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    Mar 5th 2018, 8:43 PM

    @Nick Allen: When you say reliable how old are they?

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    Mute tom McCormack
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    Mar 5th 2018, 8:44 PM

    @Nick Allen: There is no Hybrid car in the JD Power top rankings. Toyota is also just above average in reliability.

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    Mute DJ François
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    Mar 5th 2018, 8:44 PM

    @tom McCormack: Any figures to back that up? Just curious

    27
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    Mute Fin Tastic
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    Mar 5th 2018, 8:47 PM

    @tom McCormack: I had a hybrid (Honda Insight) for 4 years and never had a problem. You need to start believing the sales pitch Captain Fearmonger.

    51
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    Mute tom McCormack
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    Mar 5th 2018, 8:52 PM
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    Mute David Dickson
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    Mar 5th 2018, 8:57 PM

    @tom McCormack: “and always needs to go back to the main dealer for repair.” Only if it is under warranty or some other contract with them. Their are lots of mechanics have all the tech equipment to work on the cars and the knowledge to use it.

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    Mute Joe Burke
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    Mar 5th 2018, 8:59 PM

    @Nick Allen: no issues with ten year old Prius’s Hybrid in fairness

    45
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    Mute Robert Conneely
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    Mar 5th 2018, 9:02 PM

    @tom McCormack: you link does that the Toyota Prius won best in its class for the last two years.

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    Mute P.J. Nolan
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    Mar 5th 2018, 9:02 PM

    @tom McCormack:
    In fairness Tom you could say the same about most new cars, hybrid or not.
    The laptop has been superceding the socket set in garages for a while now

    36
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    Mute John Considine
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    Mar 5th 2018, 9:12 PM

    @tom McCormack: Clicking on literally one page from your link it clearly shows Toyota as the 3rd most dependable overall behind Lexus and Porsche. It gets a 5 star rating overall but is let down by Toyota’s shoddy interiors. Not that I care, I have a Renault, just it was literally one click away.

    http://www.jdpower.com/ratings/study/Vehicle-Dependability-Study-%28VDS%29-by-Make/1881ENG

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    Mute The Dons
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    Mar 5th 2018, 11:06 PM

    @John Considine: I think the warranty direct reliability index is much accurate for this side of the water anyway than a survey of American consumers. Also lets face it Toyota were never at the fore front of diesel engine technology either. They were using Peugeot PSA diesels in recent years to comply with euro level emissions standards.

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    Mute Alastair Moore
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    Mar 5th 2018, 11:39 PM

    @The Dons: that’s incorrect, psa engines are only in the Proace van.

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    Mute Michael Powell
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    Mar 6th 2018, 4:09 AM

    @tom McCormack: and with demand will come expertise, regular mechanics will learn to fix these. They will adapt. Don’t be scared of hybrid or electric technology

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    Mute The Dons
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    Mar 6th 2018, 1:11 PM

    @Alastair Moore: incorrect, your talking about currently where the pro ace is a re badged Peugeot Expert. They have used psa diesel engines at various times over the past 10-12 years in different models.

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    Mute prop joe
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    Mar 6th 2018, 2:49 PM

    @tom McCormack: get with the times. Electric is the way forward. Luckily for you the flat earth crowd are in the majority in this country.

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    Mute Daniel
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    Mar 8th 2018, 9:25 AM

    @Nick Allen: Toyota’s are only reliable because they have no warning lights.

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    Mute Johnny Tightlips
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    Mar 5th 2018, 8:33 PM

    Is it only a matter of time now before Diesel cars get a road tax hike? Or that it matches petrol at the pumps? Yes I own a diesel and yes I’m scared :(

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    Mute Ger Buckley
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    Mar 5th 2018, 8:41 PM

    @Johnny Tightlips: all hauliers rely on diesel and hauliers deliver everything we buy. so touching diesel would be a dodgy move for our beloved government

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    Mute John Considine
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    Mar 5th 2018, 9:13 PM

    @Ger Buckley: They will price match it to petrol so the only saving will be in efficiency, which isn’t massive.

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    Mute P.J. Nolan
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    Mar 5th 2018, 9:26 PM

    @John Considine:
    Depends on your milage.

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    Mute Chucky Arlaw
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    Mar 5th 2018, 9:42 PM

    @Johnny Tightlips: sell it! Now!

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    Mute Ger Buckley
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    Mar 5th 2018, 10:20 PM

    @John Considine: which will mean increasing the duty? Doubt they would attemp that.

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    Mute Martin Gilroy
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    Mar 5th 2018, 8:34 PM

    So are we all going to drive electric cars?, if so where’s all this green electricity going to come from as our government hasn’t done anything on a REFIT on photovoltaic solar Systems for homes or business. But we will give €100s millions to Europe in fine within the next 2 years .

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    Mute Nick Allen
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    Mar 5th 2018, 8:38 PM

    @Martin Gilroy:

    I think Hybrids will be mainstream before all electric

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    Mute Martin Gilroy
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    Mar 5th 2018, 8:46 PM

    @Nick Allen: Hi Nick Allen, yes but all we hear now a days is electric car, trucks and now air plans, so all I would like to now where all this electricity is going to come from this is only part of it more homes, Business & data centers, we are talking a lot of power ,

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    Mute Duncan Mckenna
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    Mar 5th 2018, 8:59 PM

    @Martin Gilroy: I’m glad you’re concerned, but don’t worry! Green energy is nice to have, but moving to electric is the first step. That alone gets you a saving in efficiency of two thirds, even when coming from a traditionally “non-green” power source.

    https://electrek.co/2017/08/28/electric-car-emissions-electricity-generation-goes-green/

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    Mute ed w
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    Mar 5th 2018, 10:56 PM

    @Duncan Mckenna: what is needed is massive investment in efficient public transport to get rid of cars but thats not going to happen. Cars a aren’t a aolution for anything no matter what powers them

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    Mute Simon O'Connor
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    Mar 5th 2018, 11:03 PM

    @Duncan Mckenna: I call BS on that. If you have to burn fuel to create heat to mechanical power, which is then converted to electrical power, and then converted back to mechanical power again there will always be penalties in efficiency. Ask any electrical or mechanical engineer

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    Mute Pat Patovic
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    Mar 5th 2018, 11:58 PM

    @Martin Gilroy: I would guess that wind and tidal power plants are what is needed. Going all-electric is much wiser than depending on fuel import.

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    Mute Tom Cullen
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    Mar 6th 2018, 8:14 AM

    @Simon O’Connor: False, combined cycle gas plants have a typical thermal efficiency of a around 60% where as a typical petrol car has 25% thermal efficiency. Even with conversion and transmission losses, an electric car powered 100% from gas turbines has massive energy savings, not factoring in renewables.

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    Mute Duncan Mckenna
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    Mar 6th 2018, 9:35 AM

    @Simon O’Connor: We’re comparing the efficiency of converting fuel to energy in a power plant vs. the small combustion engine in our cars.

    If you were right – and combustion engines were more efficient than power plants – then there would be no power plants.

    …actually, I think you’ve just uncovered a huge conspiracy here. We should ditch the power plants and go off grid!! Lets poser our homes with our cars, reap the savings! #bigEnergy

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    Mute Simon O'Connor
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    Mar 6th 2018, 2:41 PM

    @Tom Cullen: Being polite as possible you’re getting confused here. An open cycle gas turbines are now approaching 40% efficiency – check a data sheet for any GE, Siemens or Rolls-Royce gas turbine. Each of those GTs have a specific fuel consumption of 200-230g/kWh when operating at design point. Lets assume the electric vehicle has 100kW of electrical power (like your average 140bhp diesel VW or BMW). These are now capable of less than 3.5l / 100km. Assuming 5l / 100km average and a 50 litre fuel tank = 1000km range. Average speed of 100km/h = 5l per hour. Assume combined cycle has SFC of 160g/kWh with increased efficiency = 16kg or litres per hour.

    1
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    Mute Simon O'Connor
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    Mar 6th 2018, 2:47 PM

    @Simon O’Connor: I do these analyses as part of my day job for large ships. Over the past 20 years we’ve seen transitions from mechanical propulsion to full-electric, and now reverting back to hybrid – i.e. small electric motors for low speed to avoid high fuel consumption at low load, and diesel engines / gas turbines for high speed.

    I agree with your logic if the power comes from a renewable source, but you’re wrong on the point of efficiency I’m afraid. Alternators have losses of approx 10%, motors up to another 10%; and then there’s the additional weight from the batteries which significantly reduces range. Check out the weight of a Tesla Model S, nearly double the kerb weight of a BMW M3 or similar

    3
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    Mute Nick Allen
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    Mar 5th 2018, 8:30 PM

    Toyota tend to continuously be the first main stream market movers in engine technology. Not surprising they are so successful

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    Mute K D’Arcy
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    Mar 5th 2018, 8:55 PM

    @Nick Allen: …. at being boring but good.

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    Mute Robert Conneely
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    Mar 5th 2018, 8:59 PM

    @K D’Arcy: Boring like the Supra?

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    Mute brendan H
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    Mar 5th 2018, 9:20 PM

    @Nick Allen: There not that successful, only been world number one for about 3 years, they lost that title 3 years ago to Volkswagen and before that GM held it for decades. And they weren’t great diesel engine builders, it wasn’t in their dna, they couldn’t keep up with diesel emissions rules that’s why the hiace disappeared and Peugeot/Citroën now build the diesel van (proace) for them in the last couple of years. And Isuzu diesels are in the pickups. And I think bmw started building passenger car diesels for them.

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    Mute Richard Sweeney
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    Mar 5th 2018, 9:54 PM

    @brendan H: It’s a bad sign if you have to rely on BMW for that engine. Ask 2.0 n47 engine owners.

    https://www.google.ie/amp/s/www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/motors/bmw-s-timing-chain-problem-comes-back-to-haunt-carmaker-1.2869493%3fmode=amp

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    Mute Tony Dowling
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    Mar 5th 2018, 9:56 PM

    @Richard Sweeney: That problem was fixed a long long time ago. BMW haters obsessed with N47 timing chain.

    11
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    Mute Richard Sweeney
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    Mar 5th 2018, 10:04 PM

    @Tony Dowling: My last car was a BMW e60 6 cylinder petrol. I like a BMW just not an N47.

    6
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    Mute Tom
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    Mar 5th 2018, 10:06 PM

    @Nick Allen: They are avoiding EVs though for some reason.
    Presumably to protect their hybrid market.

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    Mute John Egan
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    Mar 5th 2018, 10:50 PM

    @Nick Allen: they are but pretty sure tesla were long first this time

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    Mute ed w
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    Mar 5th 2018, 10:53 PM

    @Nick Allen: except there current crop of diesel car engines are either old abd won’t meet the next emissions standards or they are bought in from BMW so suits them to announce they are pulling out of diesel cars.

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    Mute Simon O'Connor
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    Mar 5th 2018, 10:59 PM

    @Richard Sweeney: Common knowledge that BMW 4 cylinder engines are made of chocolate. Absolute wizardry when it comes to their straight 6 engines though, going all the way back to the E46s. Their N55 engine produces up to 340bhp from standard (depending on model) and can be easily and safely tuned to 500bhp. All the while still achieving more than 35mpg on the motorway

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    Mute Simon O'Connor
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    Mar 5th 2018, 11:21 PM

    @Robert Conneely: Toyota still produces excellent performance cars, but they’re all locked into the Japanese domestic market. We only get the dull stuff in Europe now

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    Mute Bilbo Baggins
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    Mar 6th 2018, 12:04 AM

    @brendan H: Turns out noone could keep up with the diesel emissions rules it seems.

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    Mute brendan H
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    Mar 6th 2018, 1:04 AM

    @Bilbo Baggins: Still cleaner than Toyota could manage, and that’s only vag diesels, Mercedes have spent around 3 billion euro on developing a new diesel engine that’s 80% lower on nox than the current diesels for rollout in 2019.

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    Mute Tom Jennings
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    Mar 6th 2018, 1:06 AM

    @brendan H: number 3 In the world is not something to be ashamed of

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    Mute Seamus Mac Gearailt
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    Mar 6th 2018, 1:40 AM

    @brendan H: not great diesel engine builders and hiace in the same sentance you havent a clue .they outsourced them because they were packing in the diesels.

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    Mute brendan H
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    Mar 6th 2018, 1:43 AM

    @Tom Jennings: Number 3 and dropping with this decision.

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    Mute brendan H
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    Mar 6th 2018, 8:22 AM

    @Seamus Mac Gearailt: More of a clue than you, its common knowledge that Toyota couldn’t make or refine a diesel engine better than hdi or tdi. The hiace was dropped in Europe becouse they couldn’t develop a euro emissions diesel to justify its sales figures.ford,Citroen/Peugeot, Renault,vw, merc were making and selling more and better diesel vans.

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    Mute Charles McCarthy
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    Mar 6th 2018, 3:02 PM

    @brendan H: Tell us what you drive Brendan? Proof is in the pudding so to speak.

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    Mute Steve Watson
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    Mar 6th 2018, 5:21 PM

    @brendan H: the Toyota Diesel is probably the best Diesel engine ever built (except the 2.2 which was a piece of junk). I’ve put 663,000 kms on mine and never even changed an injector. I’ve seen them with 865,000 kms. Best built cars in the world

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    Mute brendan H
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    Mar 6th 2018, 6:34 PM

    @Charles McCarthy: 2003 citroen c5 2ltr diesel 638,000 miles (not kms) ex taxi still driving it. Normal wear and tear items plus alternator and aircon compressor. Current taxi 2014 Citroen c5 estate 1.6 ltr diesel 145,000 miles with just regular service.

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    Mute brendan H
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    Mar 6th 2018, 6:43 PM

    @Steve Watson: Can’t be saying that last statement it was ruled misleading and false by the courts. So they had to drop it. Is that all 663,000 km that’s about half what I’ve got, 638,000 MILES ex taxi still drives.

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    Mute James Doyle
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    Mar 6th 2018, 7:08 PM

    @Nick Allen: They need to launch an all electric car, no engine.

    1
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    Mute Kerry Blake
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    Mar 5th 2018, 8:34 PM

    “Commenting on the decision, Minister for the Environment Denis Naughten said: “As a country we have no option but to move towards a zero emissions vehicle society to help protect our environment, improve our health and to ensure the next generation doesn’t suffer from complacency or inaction now.”

    I’d imagine that means you have plans to improve public transport in this country Minister???

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    Mute Sean
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    Mar 5th 2018, 8:38 PM

    @Kerry Blake: that’s Shane Rosses department surely?

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    Mute Kerry Blake
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    Mar 5th 2018, 9:01 PM

    @Sean: Nah Shane is to busy commenting on other issues to attend his own ministerial job.

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    Mute Hank_Scorpio
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    Mar 5th 2018, 9:19 PM

    Bigger carbon footprint required to manufacture the batteries for hybrid car. They’re mined in Canada and transported to Japan then back to Europe. It’s not all positive.

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    Mute William Bayle
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    Mar 5th 2018, 9:54 PM

    @Hank_Scorpio: because oil is so clean to extract transport and refine ?

    23
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    Mute Quentin Moriarty
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    Mar 5th 2018, 10:07 PM

    @William Bayle: and the destruction of perfectly good petrol cars that has happened over the last 10 years also caused zero carbon emissions .

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    Mute John003
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    Mar 5th 2018, 8:45 PM

    The new Nissan leaf seems a good alternative….40Kw….200 mile range at €29,000….Just need the minister for climate change to install many more 50Kw fast chargers….

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    Mute William Bayle
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    Mar 5th 2018, 9:52 PM

    @John003: you do realise than a fast charge damage your battery long run ? You re only suppose to charge 80% capacity as 100% damage also the battery. Same than mobile phone . Do not let it go under 20% charge and avoid above 80%

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    Mute Quentin Moriarty
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    Mar 5th 2018, 10:05 PM

    @John003: “Ideal” for a family of 5 heading off for a week

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    Mute Tommy Roche
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    Mar 5th 2018, 10:53 PM

    @John003: 200 mile range is Nissan marketing blurb. Plenty of real world range tests on YouTube, with the maximum range being 150 miles, in optimal conditions and using all the available eco tech on board. Most tests put the range at about 135 miles.

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    Mute Thomas McGuire
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    Mar 5th 2018, 11:21 PM

    @William Bayle: Not really; dated myths.

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    Mute Thomas McGuire
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    Mar 5th 2018, 11:38 PM

    @William Bayle: I mean, daily fast charge use would be silly, sure. Though unless you’re leaving the vehicle fully charged / discharged for extended periods it’s not really worth worrying about. 71000km later I sure ain’t noticed any difference.

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    Mute Daniel
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    Mar 8th 2018, 9:26 AM

    @John003: He will when it’s gay

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    Mute Daniel
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    Mar 8th 2018, 9:29 AM

    @John003: Until it’s in place that we pay to charge then this will happen. Anyone who thinks charging is going to be free is in for a shock. And, by 2040 we’ll be paying €1.35 per 10km if charge, because the loss of revenue from Petrol and D has to come from somewhere. What happens to all the local garages and all the staff? And on and on I could go until I run out of petrol.

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    Mute Andy Byrne
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    Mar 5th 2018, 8:31 PM

    What about the hilux??

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    Mute Tweed Cap
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    Mar 5th 2018, 8:41 PM

    @Andy Byrne:
    I won’t be swapping my diddly diesel anytime soon. A true 4×4 legend as the snow confirmed to me again recently.

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    Mute James Darby
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    Mar 5th 2018, 8:41 PM

    @Andy Byrne: It’s not exactly a car. I doubt the Landcruiser will lose it’s diesel engine either.

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    Mute brendan H
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    Mar 5th 2018, 9:23 PM

    @Andy Byrne: They said cars not pickups, and Isuzu build the diesels for them.

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    Mute Ger Healy
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    Mar 5th 2018, 10:43 PM

    @Tweed Cap: I just sold my 16yr old Hilux. Never gave me an ounce of trouble…..still regretting my decision.

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    Mute brendan H
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    Mar 5th 2018, 10:58 PM

    @Ger Healy: Because there basic and unrefined. What ya didn’t spend on parts ya spent on diesel.

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    Mute Ger Healy
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    Mar 5th 2018, 11:13 PM

    @brendan H: And totally dependable. I prefer that any day. Also for a 4×4, it was quite economical to run.

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    Mute Benjamin Dolan
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    Mar 5th 2018, 8:48 PM

    Our school teacher TD’s
    Yes the same breed that closed schools forcing parents to stay off work to look after their children
    Then they shut down the country.
    Thats the same bunch that told us that diesel was the way to go.
    So if they screw diesel cars
    Lets screw them back

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    Mute TheHeathen
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    Mar 5th 2018, 9:39 PM

    @Benjamin Dolan: Get your mouth to tell your arse to shut up! Force parents to look after their own children and then shutting down the country. Your arse is getting it all arseways! More arsey emissions than a diesel.

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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Mar 6th 2018, 7:20 AM

    @TheHeathen: Believe everything, never question anything. The establishment has everyone’s best interests at heart.

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    Mute TheHeathen
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    Mar 6th 2018, 7:42 AM

    @Dave Doyle: Ah you shut it too! I obviously have an issue with him moaning about having to look after his own children and then he goes on about shutting down the country. What he wrote is more intelligible if you read it backwards.

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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Mar 6th 2018, 7:59 AM

    @TheHeathen: Relax, it’s to early in the morning to be so wound up.

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    Mute ☘
    Favourite ☘
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    Mar 5th 2018, 9:00 PM

    How will all the power for these cars be generated !!!

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    Mute Keith Stears
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    Mar 5th 2018, 8:59 PM

    People need to just bite the bullet and go full electric.

    Newer electric car models are very reasonably priced and are now pushing above 300 miles per charge… the average person doesn’t need anywhere near that for a day to day driving especially in a small country like Ireland… And because it has a motor with only one moving part there is basically no maintenance. No oil change, no clutch, nothing!! Hybrids are expensive to maintain because they need both the engine and electric motor components maintained rather than just one of the other…

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    Mute Richard Sweeney
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    Mar 5th 2018, 9:58 PM

    @Keith Stears: I drive a hybrid and it’s no more expensive than a diesel to maintain. Maybe you mean if something goes wrong?

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    Mute Leo Erah
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    Mar 5th 2018, 10:53 PM

    @Keith Stears: sure because the average person can afford to go out and buy a brand new electric car…

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    Mute ed w
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    Mar 5th 2018, 10:58 PM

    @Keith Stears: cars are the problem not what fuels them

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    Mute Richard Griffin
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    Mar 5th 2018, 9:34 PM

    lets see how quick the electric car pulls you out of the snow…

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    Mute William Bayle
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    Mar 5th 2018, 9:56 PM

    @Richard Griffin: and let compare it to a BMW on snow . My leaf handled the snow quiet well

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    Mute j4VEpUO8
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    Mar 5th 2018, 9:59 PM

    @Richard Griffin: curious question, have you?

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    Mute Richard Griffin
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    Mar 5th 2018, 11:49 PM

    @j4VEpUO8: Have I what?

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    Mute Pat Patovic
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    Mar 6th 2018, 12:07 AM

    @Richard Griffin: lol really?
    So 3 days of snow in last 20 years warrant having and running 4×4 diesel?

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    Mute brendan H
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    Mar 6th 2018, 11:18 AM

    @Pat Patovic: More than 3 days of snow in the last 20 year, I think you have amnesia.

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    Mute Pat Patovic
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    Mar 6th 2018, 11:02 PM

    @brendan H: No Brendan, I do not. And FYI I grow up in a country which is snowed up all over through the whole winter yet very few people drive 4×4. The petrol engine is actually seen more favorable compared to diesel one mainly due to low temperatures in the winter time.

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    Mute brendan H
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    Mar 7th 2018, 10:16 AM

    @Pat Patovic: Block heaters are used in very cold climates plus there is winter grade diesel that’s sold a month before the cold season starts, Diesel engines are superior to petrol engine’s because they are built stronger they last longer more torque for same size petrol engine’s. Lower co2, the 2018 motors euro emissions 6 have no nox which qualifies them to be driven in London with their strict emissions rules starting now they wont be charged.

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    Mute Joe oshaughnessy
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    Mar 5th 2018, 9:41 PM

    I can’t help but get the feeling that this could be the rock that Toyota perish on.

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    Mute j4VEpUO8
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    Mar 5th 2018, 10:02 PM

    @Joe oshaughnessy: I wouldn’t bet on it

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    Mute Joe oshaughnessy
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    Mar 5th 2018, 10:24 PM

    @j4VEpUO8: well I wouldn’t bet against it being the case either if I were you. I know several people who have had Toyotas and nothing else all they’re lives and they have said if this happens they’ll never buy another Toyota and I have a feeling many other people are and will be saying the same thing.

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    Mute j4VEpUO8
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    Mar 5th 2018, 11:56 PM

    @Joe oshaughnessy: Land Drover also taking the same line. Only last night Top Gear showed off amazing electric off road bikes!. Uber Impressive £12gs

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    Mute Bilbo Baggins
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    Mar 6th 2018, 12:10 AM

    @Joe oshaughnessy: I’d put a solid wager that within the next 10 years no company will be selling passenger cars running on diesel. And I own a diesel.

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    Mute Neuville-Kepler62F
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    Mar 5th 2018, 10:35 PM

    We want our money back!

    Refund of the €300 per year paid by all pre-2008 car owners for the abusive Motor Tax imposed on the pretext of bad for environment – now we learn diesel is poisoning us all with toxic NOx fumes and particulates.

    32,000 have already written to the Minister at:
    https://www.change.org/p/unfair-irish-car-tax-law

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    Mute Simon O'Connor
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    Mar 5th 2018, 11:17 PM

    As of 2015 there are just over 25 million registered cars on UK roads. Let’s assume that by 2040 there will be only 5 million electric cars, with an average power of 50kW each. Now let’s assume that only 30% of those are ever charging simultaneously. The extra load driven by vehicles only will be 75,000 MW. To put that in perspective, the nuclear station currently being built in Somerset will produce 3200MW of power at a cost of more than £20bn.

    And then there’s the issue of extracting lithium which is detrimental to our environment.

    How does this make any sense? We need hydrogen power, not electrical power

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    Mute William Bayle
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    Mar 6th 2018, 12:01 AM

    @Simon O’Connor: micro production with home battery could work, pv panels work well many houses could be taken off the grid or at least partially, a grand for pv panels would go a long way and esb actually paying for the over production sent to the grid so economically it makes sens for every body

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    Mute Simon O'Connor
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    Mar 6th 2018, 12:13 AM

    @William Bayle: How many kms can you get in the leaf per hour of charging William?

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    Mute Fallible Guy
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    Mar 5th 2018, 8:51 PM

    For most, it’ll trickle down to the economics of hybrids. Given today’s premiums on them, they won’t pay for themselves unless you keep it for an extended period (i.e. well beyond PCP agreements, which encompass the new car market). The GTE variant of the Golf, is €8.5k above the GTI.

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    Mute Alastair Moore
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    Mar 7th 2018, 6:49 AM

    @Fallible Guy: There is little or no premium for Toyota Hybrids, most models are similar if not exactly the same price as their diesel counterparts.

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    Mute brendan H
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    Mar 5th 2018, 9:37 PM

    It should be hybrid diesel, the ev part while in a town or city and the advantages of a diesel while out the country, this war against diesel is nuts, petrol is worse for the planet its high in co2. So basically their saying poison the planet but save the person. And most ev car can’t tow, teslas can but they cost 100,000 plus and they drain the batteries rapidly. Big Hybrids can tow 1500kg max while ice cars can tow that plus more.

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    Mute j4VEpUO8
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    Mar 5th 2018, 8:36 PM

    Fossil fuel has had its day

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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Mar 6th 2018, 6:25 AM

    Diesel isn’t just going to disappear. A 45 gallon drum of crude oil makes 20 gallons of petrol and 11 gallons of diesel, plus other products. So what’s going to happen to all that diesel. It’s a very versatile fuel. Has great pulling power. That’s why it’s used in haulage. It powers most military vehicles. As fossil fuels run out is diesel being kept only for military use. There are 5 diesel delivery vans here where i work. Used sunflower oil that was used to fry Tulmbi (a Bulgarian/Turkish sweet) is well filtered and added to the fuel tanks, with no loss of performance or any other problems. It reduces costs in a big way.
    When governments and organisations are pushing an agenda, i always have to ask myself why. These lifestyle changes that are pushed and forced on people are rarely for people’s benefit. But someone does. The question is who.

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    Mute Liam Burke
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    Mar 5th 2018, 9:23 PM

    Where are all these ‘green’ lithium batteries that need to be replaced every 5 or so years going to come from?
    Car manufacturers plan, get everyone to get electric cars, then electric cars with grapene batteries, then fuel cell cars

    21
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    Mute Dan
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    Mar 5th 2018, 9:29 PM

    @Liam Burke: the batteries on the electric cars are lasting better then expected. My leaf is 5 years old and has 90% health. No issues and i reakon will last a lot longer then a normal engine car..

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    Mute brendan H
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    Mar 5th 2018, 9:55 PM

    @Dan: Like hell it will, come back when ya have 638,000 miles on yours and is still going on the same battery and motor. There is no way are we going to see a 15 year old high mileage ev car on the road in the future.

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    Mute Pat Patovic
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    Mar 6th 2018, 12:12 AM

    @brendan H: Well you forget how much your 15-year-old high mileage car cost in maintenance and repairs. Every car over 10 years old is just a black hole where your money disappear faster than you can earn them.

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    Mute brendan H
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    Mar 6th 2018, 1:23 AM

    @Pat Patovic: Its obvious you don’t know much about cars with a broad brush statement like that, I’ve a 2003 diesel car with 638,000 miles retired taxi that I still drive serviced by myself costs about 95 euros on a oil and filter, air,fuel and cabin filter change per year. About once every 5 or 6 years it might be 500 for a main worn part plus the oil and filters service. Plus I have a active 2014 diesel taxi 144,000 miles at the moment that’s serviced 3 time per year around 300 euros.

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    Mute Dan
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    Mar 6th 2018, 9:21 AM

    @brendan H: I won’t be doing 600,000 miles as I don’t do high mileage – But for me – -it suits me grand and if it lasts me 5 more years or so, I will be happy enough and can pass on to my kids
    its Horses for courses – -enjoy your Car and well wear

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    Mute Pat Patovic
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    Mar 6th 2018, 11:09 PM

    @brendan H: That is fantastic and I applaud your skills but tell me how many people do service their own cars? Not everyone will have relevant skills, tools, and place to do it. While my broad brush statement does not apply to you it perfectly fit the vast majority of motorists. Or better said everyone with the exception of car mechanics.

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    Mute Anthony newey
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    Mar 5th 2018, 10:30 PM

    How about a proper public transport system outside Dublin ?No ,thought not.

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    Mute Bilbo Baggins
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    Mar 6th 2018, 12:10 AM

    @Anthony newey: or inside it.

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    Mute Michael Maher
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    Mar 5th 2018, 11:20 PM

    Toyota sale will fall even more

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    Mute Valthebear
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    Mar 5th 2018, 8:34 PM

    What are profit margins on electric cars like?

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    Mute Nick Allen
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    Mar 5th 2018, 8:40 PM

    @Valthebear:

    I suspect it is increasing year on year as companies benefit from scale. No doubt an influencing factor in Toyota’s announcement to drop diesel

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    Mute Ian Oh
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    Mar 6th 2018, 3:30 AM

    Here’s how we should be going: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjeM2IBhtlc Absolutely no emissions, green, sustainable and completely implementable with minimal technology support. The problem of course is that storing hydrogen in hydride is currently illegal all over the world unless you have an arms licence. Set up so, as no accident to ensure something like this goes nowhere. Meanwhile we penalize the ordinary Joe for “damage to the environment”. As if Governments care. The scourge of our planet is not the diesel, petrol or electric user, but instead is big corporations and their corrupt influence on policy direction. Sad but true and has long been like so.

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    Mute Ryo Nakamura
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    Mar 5th 2018, 10:48 PM

    Lithium is very rare metal and I don’t think it is recyclable.. I prefer hydrogen fuel cell… even if it had to be produced from fossil fuel initially.

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    Mute Pat Patovic
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    Mar 6th 2018, 12:15 AM

    @Ryo Nakamura: Lithium is recyclable. Hydrogen fuel cell – not in our lifetime. Too dangerous to put it in a car.

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    Mute James Moore
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    Mar 5th 2018, 9:33 PM

    To power all electrics car 1 solar panel 2 power wall with recharging batteries 3 use both to charge your car at night free of charge

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    Mute ForeverFeel1ng
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    Mar 6th 2018, 12:43 PM

    Fantastic move by Toyota. I have a plug in and weekly commute barely costs €8 now. Diesel is truly dead

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    Mute brendan H
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    Mar 6th 2018, 1:15 PM

    @ForeverFeel1ng: Its not dead, Toyota were not big into diesel anyway because they couldn’t crack the market, merc,ford,vw and Peugeot /Citroën have that market because hdi and tdi diesels were more efficient and quieter. Diesel isn’t in Toyotas DNA.

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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Mar 6th 2018, 1:52 PM

    @ForeverFeel1ng: Diesel is far from dead. When you make petrol you get diesel as well. The military use a lot of diesel. Many military engines are multi fueled, diesel being the prefered fuel.
    Do you never question why these lifestyle changes are being forced on people?

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    Mute Colm Malone
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    Mar 6th 2018, 2:34 PM

    @brendan H: Renault and Volvo announced a few months ago they are quitting diesel also. Renault diesel engines were huge

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    Mute League of shadows
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    Mar 6th 2018, 4:09 PM

    My main concern for the long term future of motoring for the average consumer is that servicing and repairs will become very expensive. With models becoming more electrically complex with their evolution more and more independent mechanics will find themselves obsolete in a new market leaving consumers at the mercy of their main dealers exorbitant prices. The hybrid model will only add to this problem.

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    Mute Do the Bort man
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    Mar 7th 2018, 2:20 PM

    “17% year-on-year decline between January 2017 and 2018″
    Thats just one year.

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    Mute prop joe
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    Mar 6th 2018, 2:46 PM

    No diesel cars! How will farmers drive then?

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    Mute Neil A Campbell
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    Mar 6th 2018, 12:19 PM

    Can see separate Lorry and Car diesel prices at the pumps, car diesel going up 2 cent per budget to catch up with petrol. Would be cruel to hit road tax, that would put a lot of people off the road, the focus would increase from €200 to €516 and the smax from €390 to close to €800. My local pump was upgraded lately and has a lorry pump with larger Nozzle, our cars only take the standard nozzle, can’t stick in additives for cleaning the engine even, only open when standard nozzle press against them.

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    Mute Paul Duffy
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    Mar 5th 2018, 9:03 PM

    Toyota could never make a good diesel engine, they might as well give up on them. Latest diesels are cleaner than petrol equivalent. Hybrid, you can push your car to the bin when the battery fails and they DO fail. As for electric, a big pie in the sky say no more, idiots in government who know nothing about reality on the ground.

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    Mute Graeme Murphy
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    Mar 6th 2018, 5:39 PM

    What will happen to my beloved Hilux and Landcruisers?

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