An Cosantóir November / December 2025 www.military.ie/magazine
T
he Defence Forces (DF)
journey towards a more
sustainable future has
reached an important milestone.
Today, one-fifth of the vehicle
fleet is fully electric, and
the EV component alone has
now surpassed one million
kilometres (Km) in service in
a single year. This remarkable
achievement reflects the
organisation's commitment to
climate responsibility and carbon
reduction.
In line with the Climate Action
and Low Carbon Development
(Amendment) Act 2021 and
successive Climate Action Plans, the
DF is legally mandated to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions from
its vehicle fleet in support of the
national target of net zero emissions
by 2050. While some operational
exemptions apply, the DF continues
to pursue a major reduction in fleet
emissions from 2018 levels by 2030.
This includes vehicle modernisation,
implementing practical measures to
decarbonise vehicles, alternative fuel
(HVO) program, improving efficiency,
driver education and integrating
low and zero-emission technologies
wherever possible and in line with
the DF Climate Action Plan 2023, the
Tpt Corps is required to meet a target
of 16% expenditure of capital budget
projects on EV's.
Reaching 1,000,000 Kms of EV usage
represents a significant milestone for
any organisation, but for a military
fleet, it underscores the maturity,
reliability, and capability of electric
transport to support operations.
Every kilometre logged represents
administrative movements, and
routine journeys completed
with zero exhaust emissions,
demonstrating that EVs can meet
DF requirements while advancing
national climate objectives.
Rapid technological progress has
made modern EVs more efficient,
durable, and adaptable to daily
Defence operations. Current EV
models in service routinely achieve
ranges exceeding 300 km per
10 |
THE DEFENCE THE DEFENCE
FORCES JOURNEY FORCES JOURNEY
TOWARD A TOWARD A
GREENER FUTURE GREENER FUTURE
1 MILLION KMS 1 MILLION KMS
LATER LATER
TAKING
CHARGE:
TAKING
CHARGE:
BY COMDT DENIS O'BRIEN FLEET MANAGER, DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORT'S OFFICE.
