Britain plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2040 and there are calls for Ireland to follow suit LEWIS WHYLD/PAThe excise duty on diesel should be increased as part of a plan to ban the combustion engine, an environmental group has told the government. The Environmental Pillar, a coalition of 26 organisations, said Ireland must follow the UK’s lead in banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2040. Mindy O’Brien, spokeswoman for the Environmental Pillar, said: “Our government needs to take a serious look at the progressive steps being made by our neighbours, and stand up and be counted . Poor air quality in Ireland is causing more than 1,200 premature deaths every year, as well as poor health for many thousands more, and diesel fuel is a key contributor.”She also called for an end to the beneficial…

Source: The Times July 27, 2017 23:58 UTC