Irish Road Haulage, Transport & Commercial Vehicle News

Ireland’s Leading News & Information Hub for the Road Haulage Industry

Author: John Loughran

EU turns attention to truck tyre wear as new abrasion rules move closer

European regulators are moving closer to introducing new rules governing truck and bus tyre abrasion, potentially changing how commercial vehicle tyres are tested, developed and ultimately selected by haulage operators. The UNECE Tyre Abrasion Task Force meets in Brussels on 8–9 October, with one of its key objectives being to...

A5 upgrade clears court hurdle—major boost for north-west haulage links

Irish hauliers serving the north-west have moved a step closer to improved road connections after the Court of Appeal in Belfast overturned the ruling that blocked the A5 Western Transport Corridor upgrade. The judgment, delivered on Tuesday, 6 October, clears a major legal obstacle to the long-delayed project, which has...

New Atlantic Corridor plan puts Ireland’s post-Brexit freight links on EU Agenda

Ireland’s direct freight connections with continental Europe have been formally placed at the heart of the European Union’s latest Atlantic Corridor strategy, strengthening the case for further investment in ports, road links and freight infrastructure. The European Commission has published its first Atlantic European Transport Corridor Work Plan under the...

IRHA welcomes a number of measures in Budget 2027

The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has welcomed a number of measures set out in Budget 2027, which the association says it had campaigned for. Those measures include a continuation of the diesel rebate scheme until the end of 2026 with continued review, an extra two month payment to hauliers...

Budget 2027 gives hauliers winter relief—but spring diesel costs remain a concern

Irish hauliers have been given breathing space on diesel taxes in Budget 2027, but operators pricing next year’s work still face uncertainty over the withdrawal of fuel supports. In his Budget speech, Finance Minister Simon Harris announced that the temporary reduced fuel excise rates will remain in place until 28...

Europe backs HVO as a transition fuel – should Ireland cut HVO tax ?

As Ireland’s haulage industry continues to grapple with high diesel costs and the enormous challenge of decarbonising heavy road transport, one question is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore: why isn’t the Government doing more to encourage hauliers to switch from fossil diesel to HVO? Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) offers one...

G7 diesel release: what it means for Irish hauliers

G7 countries have agreed to release 100 million barrels of diesel and crude oil from emergency reserves in an effort to stabilise global energy markets and take some of the heat out of soaring fuel prices. The coordinated release, overseen through the International Energy Agency (IEA), will begin immediately and...

Diesel costs and driver shortages squeeze European hauliers

European haulage operators are facing pressure from two directions: the rising cost of keeping trucks on the road and a shortage of drivers to put behind the wheel. For Irish hauliers serving continental markets, the combination threatens profitability, complicates planning and makes it harder to take on additional work. Emergency...

Cross-border van operators face full tachograph rules: what Irish businesses need to check

Irish businesses using vans for cross-border deliveries need to ensure their vehicles, drivers and transport schedules comply with the tachograph requirements introduced on 1 July 2026. The extension of the European rules brings goods vehicles with a maximum permissible mass exceeding 2.5 tonnes and up to 3.5 tonnes into scope...

HGV Air Brake Systems explained: A complete guide for drivers and operators

Air brakes are one of the most important safety systems on any heavy goods vehicle, yet many drivers only become concerned about the system when a warning light appears, air pressure drops or the truck develops a braking problem. Understanding the basics of an HGV air brake system can help...

Budget 2027: What can Irish hauliers expect on diesel, rebates and HVO?

With Budget 2027 just days away, Irish hauliers will be watching one issue above all others: fuel. After months of soaring diesel prices and growing pressure on transport operators, the Government faces calls to use Tuesday’s Budget to prevent further increases at the pumps while providing more targeted assistance to...

Countdown is on to 271 Truck, Van & Trailer EXPO

The countdown is on to the 271 Truck, Van & Trailer EXPO, which rolls into the RDS, Dublin on Saturday and Sunday, 10-11 October, bringing together an impressive line-up of trucks, trailers and light commercial vehicles. Staged alongside the Auto Trade EXPO and CV Workshop EXPO at Simmonscourt, the 271...

Government talks continue as soaring fuel costs pile pressure on Irish hauliers

Government discussions with the freight and logistics industry are continuing as escalating fuel costs place mounting financial pressure on Irish transport operators ahead of Budget 2027. FTA Ireland has met with Minister of State Seán Canney, Department officials and industry representatives to discuss rising fuel costs, the Road Transporters Support...

IRHA calls for budget 2027 fuel supports and biofuel incentives

The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has warned that next week’s Budget could have a lasting impact on the future of Ireland’s transport and logistics sector, calling on Government to support an industry that underpins businesses and jobs across rural Ireland. IRHA President Ger Hyland said Government has a major...

CERTA expands HVO network with new Kilkenny fuel pump

CERTA Ireland has introduced HVO renewable diesel and AdBlue at the pump at its Kilkenny City fuel depot, expanding access to lower-carbon fuel options for hauliers, fleet operators and other diesel users. The addition brings the number of sites offering HVO across CERTA’s nationwide network to 30, as the company...