Jersey U-turns on import ban on used petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030

Jersey's Environment Minister has announced the government will scrap a ban on importing used, non-electric vehicles to the island in 2030.

More than 2,000 islanders responded to a consultation on the potential policy, which originally sought to ban new and used, non-electric vehicles from being brought to the island, in the hopes that Jersey's roads would be decarbonised by 2050.

However, it has been revealed that there is an 'overwhelming' call to change the policy and that the ban on used fossil fuel vehicles was 'not widely supported'.

Deputy Steve Luce says it is not only public sentiment that has helped the U-turn.

"Retaining the flow of used petrol and diesel vehicles will help enable a more just transition for islanders, ensuring the burden of change does not unnecessarily impact those who are worst off.

"We must take steps to ensure affordability, both at the point of purchase and for vehicle servicing and repairs."

The Minister goes on to say that it is vital to take a 'cohesive approach to decarbonising Jersey's largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions', while protecting islanders who depend on non-electric vehicles for day-to-day travel and work during the transition to a low-carbon economy.

"The government will have imposed a law that says they can't buy the vehicles that they would choose.

"We've got to think about everybody in this, and is it fair to introduce legislation which makes it more expensive and almost impossible for certain parts of society not to be able to transport themselves around the island?"

Some State Members questioned what would be classified as a 'used' vehicle, to which Deputy Luce said his department will look into which types of vehicles will be exempt from the ban.

"In an island that's small like it is, and there is pressure on parking spaces and all sorts of other things, allowing people to import smaller vehicles, ones that have far, far fewer carbon emissions, is where we should target.

He suggests that partnering with the Treasury Minister may create a way forward, with schemes to 'steer' people in the right direction, rather than islanders importing any vehicles they want.

Deputy Luce also highlighted the different types of used vehicles, such as emergency vehicles, motorsport vehicles, collector cars and investment vehicles.

"We do need to be very careful.

"Saying that we're not going to deal with used vehicles at all voids all that, and I hope very much that by the time we get to 2030 in any case, the choices available to us will be greatly reduced because the UK will be phasing them out as well."

Jersey's Environment Minister will give another update on the policy in the next few weeks, having reserved his position on the proposed ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030.