Petrol stations will soon have to display price comparisons with electric vehicles under new regulations.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has instructed forecourts to implement the change in the coming weeks.
Posters will show the cost to travel a certain distance using different engines.
"The purpose of this fuel price comparison is to provide consumers with visible, consistent and clear information regarding the comparative price of a variety of transport fuels," the SEAI said.
It will apply to petrol stations with three or more fuel pumps which will be required to display the fuel price comparison values as is and replace them with the latest version quarterly.
An example of the new price comparison poster. Image: SEAINewstalk Business Editor Joe Lynam said many petrol station operators are unhappy about the change.
"You have to display how much it will cost for your car to travel 100 km," he said
"The current poster that they want everyone to display at their forecourts is that with a petrol vehicle it costs €10 to go 100 km, a diesel vehicle is €8.95 and for an electric it's €3.18.
"Needless to say the forecourts don't like this idea because it highlights the fact that petrol and diesel cars are more expensive.
"That is the requirement under the SEAI.
"They have 30 days from the 29th of February to display this price comparison on their forecourts.
"I suppose they want to accelerate the demise of the internal combustion engine and see people moving towards EVs," he added.
Those who fail to show a fuel price comparison poster will reportedly be hit with an on-the-spot fine of €500.
It comes amid criticism of some electric vehicles which do not go as far as their manufacturer suggests.
