Steve Luce announced the policy reversal in the State Assembly this week, stating that feedback demonstrated “the inclusion of used vehicles in this policy is clearly not widely supported”.

The Minister cited cost concerns as a key factor in the decision, noting that “affordability” for motorists played a significant role in the reassessment, as well as an economic impact assessment.

The original proposal formed part of Jersey‘s Carbon Neutral Roadmap, which had aimed to align the island‘s vehicle transition with the UK‘s approach to phasing out fossil fuel cars.

More than 200 individuals and businesses submitted responses during the public consultation, with Luce describing the feedback as showing “overwhelming support to modify the approach”.

The consultation on the vehicle phase-out took place between November 2025 and January 2026, providing islanders with the opportunity to comment on proposed timings, scope, and exemptions.

However, the process attracted strong criticism, with a petition calling for an extension gathering nearly 500 signatures.

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The petition’s creator argued that “last-minute changes to venues and consultations held in supermarkets do not correlate to the gravity of the change the Government is proposing”.

Under the original Carbon Neutral Roadmap, Jersey intended to halt imports of both new and used petrol and diesel cars from 2030, with hybrid vehicles following in 2035.

The policy was designed to mirror the UK’s own Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, which would ban new petrol and diesel vehicle sales by 2030.

Mr Luce emphasised that maintaining access to used petrol and diesel vehicles would support a fairer transition for islanders, particularly those on lower incomes.

“Retaining the flow of used petrol and diesel vehicles into the island will help enable a more just transition for islanders, ensuring the burden of change does not unnecessarily impact on those worst off,” he stated.

The Minister stressed the importance of keeping motoring costs manageable, both when purchasing vehicles and maintaining them.

Mr Luce added: “We must take steps to ensure affordability both at the point of purchase and for vehicle servicing and repairs.”

He added that this approach was “critical to preserving customer choice and ensuring that islanders can manage the costs associated with day-to-day motoring”.

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Mr Luce indicated he was “reserving judgement” on whether new petrol and diesel cars would face similar treatment, pending a complete review of all consultation submissions.

However, he suggested that new vehicles could prove equally problematic, noting that “new cars may be a challenge as well”.

The Minister also raised concerns about supply issues, pointing to reports that UK car manufacturers were hesitant to export electric vehicles to the Channel Islands.

Road transport in Jersey accounts for 27 per cent of the island’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2023, while petrol and diesel vehicles produced nearly 97,000 tonnes of emissions that year.

The original decision to include second-hand vehicles in the ban reflected the significant role they play in Jersey’s car market, with used imports comprising between 40 per cent and 50 per cent of all vehicles brought to the island annually.