HUNDREDS of Islanders are being offered extra credit to hire an EVie electric car, van or bike as part of a pilot subscription scheme launched in partnership with the government.
Up to 500 people will be able to access the scheme between now and 31 October, in a bid to encourage greater usage of low-carbon methods of transport.
Islanders will be able to apply via the gov.je website to buy £25 of EVie credit and receive an extra free credit of £75.
The credit, which lasts for a month, can be used for trips in many of EVie’s cars and vans, as well as on the yellow e-bikes.
Environment Minister Jonathan Renouf said: ‘The idea is that the extra credit will lead to more minutes, more miles and fewer petrol- and diesel-powered journeys on Jersey’s roads.
‘The additional credit can be split across EVie’s bikes, cars, and vans, and will give users the opportunity to use these low-carbon methods of transport to perhaps commute to and from work, do the weekly shop, or transport a large piece of furniture, for example.
‘This trial scheme will also help us better understand the appetite for shared transport services in Jersey.’
A total of £25,000 from the Climate Emergency Fund has been allocated to the scheme, along with £12,500 in credit from EVie.
EVie chief executive officer Jamie Kelly added: ‘We are thrilled to partner with the Government of Jersey to pilot a subscription scheme that gives real value to Islanders. We hope it will show how, at the right price, Islanders can be encouraged to switch away from personal petrol or diesel vehicles to shared electric transport, without the need to buy their own costly electric bikes or cars.
‘We are delighted to top up the government’s generous support with additional free usage credit. We believe that, together, we have been able to provide a subscription package that is affordable to everyone.’
