Plans to ban petrol and diesel cars across a popular UK region from 2030 have remained uncertain, after ministers admitted the policy may not work as planned.
The States Assembly in Jersey agreed in 2022 the island would begin phasing out petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030, with the move hoping to help the island reach net zero by 2050.
But the Government is now stepping back from that commitment. Environment Minister Deputy Steve Luce said there have been “no final decisions” on how the policy will go ahead. He also said ministers are open to changing course.
“I want to emphasise that no final decisions have yet been taken,” he said. His comments come after the Chief Minister, Lyndon Farnham, raised doubts about the plan earlier this month.
While he said Jersey was still “committed to tackling climate change”, he warned the current approach “might not be practicable”.
Under the current proposals, Jersey would ban the import and first-time registration of certain vehicles in stages. From 2030, new and used petrol and diesel cars would no longer be allowed.
But from 2035, hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars would also be banned, along with small petrol and diesel vans. After 2035, all remaining petrol and diesel vehicles, including hybrids, would be phased out, although exact dates have not been confirmed.
The rules would also apply to used vehicles. Around 40 to 50 per cent of cars imported to Jersey each year are secondhand.
Concerns have been raised about Jersey’s petrol and diesel car ban deadline of 2030 | GETTY/PAThe Jersey Government said the policy is needed because vehicles are a major source of pollution. Road transport produces 27 per cent of Jersey‘s greenhouse gas emissions.
But Mr Luce said the island cannot hit its climate targets without cutting emissions from cars and vans. “It will not be possible for us to reach net zero by 2050 if we don’t effectively tackle our road transport emissions,” he said.
However, he added the transition has to be done in a way that works for local people. “We need to approach this transition in the right way for the island,” he said.
Ministers also pointed out that attitudes to petrol and diesel bans are changing elsewhere. Mr Luce said Jersey is watching “significant shifts in international approaches”.
Under the current plans petrol and diesel imported cars will need to be electric by 2030
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PA.The European Union recently softened its plan to ban new petrol and diesel cars from 2035. Jersey’s original timetable was closely linked to the UK’s decision to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030.
Almost all vehicles sold in Jersey come from the UK market, meaning any change in UK policy has a direct impact on the island.
The Government recently ran a 12-week public consultation on the vehicle ban. Thousands of islanders took part, either by filling in surveys or attending events.
People were asked whether the timescales were realistic, whether certain vehicles should be exempt and how the rules would affect businesses and households.
Jersey aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 | GETTYSome residents and traders raised concerns about cost, charging points for electric vehicles, and whether electric vans are suitable for all types of work.
A petition was launched asking the Government to extend the consultation period, but ministers refused, saying it was time to move forward. Deputy Luce said officials will now need to analyse the responses before issuing the next steps.
“Vehicle retailers and motorists alike need clarity,” he said. He admitted it would take time to review the feedback but promised an update soon.
“I will be looking to make an announcement at the earliest opportunity about how we intend to proceed,” he said. For now, the 2030 petrol and diesel ban remains in place, but ministers have made it clear it could still change.
