Finance minister, Paschal Donohoe, presented the government’s 2020 budget last Tuesday.

One of the items included was the increase in carbon tax, which added an extra two cents onto a litre of petrol and diesel. This brings the total carbon tax to €30 per tonne of CO2, adding almost eight cents on a litre of petrol/diesel since it was first introduced. Indications are that this carbon tax will be increasing on an annual basis over the next decade at a rate of €6 per tonne each year.

With climate change forever on the minds of most people, and highlighted by the recent climate change protests by schoolchildren from all over the world, improvements on engine efficiency remain very important, more so than ever before.

Thankfully, engines in vehicles have become more efficient and are emitting less CO2 into the atmosphere than they did in the past. This also applies to tractors and groundcare mowers. These lower CO2 emissions should be a strong selling point for dealers around the country.

However, when a machine is sold, it is important for it to be well maintained, in order for it to remain efficient, particularly the engine. Dealers all over the country can play their part in an indirect, but meaningful way, to help slow down climate change. Here’s how.

Many dealers provide a service and repair facility on their premises, so it is good for them to inform their customers of the advantages of regularly getting their equipment serviced. Many farmers do this themselves but they should be disciplined to do it on a regular basis and not wait for something to break down before doing it. A regularly serviced engine can reduce fuel consumption by 5-15%. We are now heading into the winter season so, from now on, it is a good time for equipment to be sent for service, particularly the groundcare equipment, when grass growth is slowing down.

Another way of promoting a greener environment is to make a push to selling more electric/battery powered equipment, which have no CO2 emissions. For example, Toro have produced their Greesmaster eFlex pedestrian greens mower, which, they claim, can mow up to nine greens on a single charge. As well as that, many of the golf clubs around the country hire golf buggies, which are mostly battery powered and can easily last a round of golf (which can take up to 5 hours to complete).

Most of the tractor and ride on mower manufacturers are still making huge progress on improving engine efficiency. Having lower levels of exhaust emissions, which lower CO2 being released into the atmosphere can only be a good thing.

Finally, if you haven’t done so already, don’t forget to register for Saltex 2019. It takes place on the 30th & 31st of October in the NEC, Birmingham. Plenty of new and innovative machines will be launched at the show, so don’t miss out. Visit iogsaltex.com for more details.