Ireland's transport energy consumption per capita remains 20% above the EU average, according to a new report.

The new report, Energy in Transport 2014, launched by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) in Dublin, shows Ireland spent €3.5 billion importing fossil fuels for transport last year.

Changes in car taxation have prompted a seismic shift in consumer preference towards energy efficient cars. Today 95% of new cars purchased are in the high efficiency A and B bands, compared to just 18% in 2007. The other significant factor in the reduction in transport energy is the downturn in the economy, impacting particularly on construction-related road freight.

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Mr. Kevin O'Rourke, Head of Low Carbon Technologies at SEAI, said: "Ireland needs to wean itself off its reliance on imported fossil fuels which come at prices outside our control, with risks of disruption to supply and of course with associated harmful emissions. While we are continuing to reduce energy use in transport beyond savings attributed to economic activity, considerable scope exists for energy savings in the sector."

(CD/MH)