With major manufacturers in the car industry increasingly turning towards the development of low-emission vehicles, Deputy Steve Luce said that Jersey would be a ‘fantastic place’ for electric and hybrid cars to be used and that the development of infrastructure to support the technology needs to become a higher priority.
He added that discussions have already been held with Jersey Electricity about making sure Jersey does not fall behind in the coming electric car revolution.
‘I have recently had meetings with Jersey Electricity to discuss how we can move forward with electric and hybrid cars,’ said the minister, who is seeking re-election. But with the election coming it has brought things to a halt and progress is going to have to be made by the successive government.
‘We need to look again at the provisions for electric vehicles. In planning terms, when building new homes we need to make sure that they facilitate charging points.
‘On new developments we are looking for charging points where there is communal parking. With regard to on-street charging, that issue also needs to be considered. It is something we will need to work with the Infrastructure Department and parishes on.’
He added: ‘I hope that in the next session we start to look at these issues in a very short time.’
Deputy Luce said that with an increasing number of car manufacturers developing electric and hybrid vehicles, low-emission vehicles were likely to become mainstream within the next few years.
‘There is a transformation coming down the line. It’s not just a couple of manufacturers who are looking at electric and hybrid cars now, it’s all of them,’ he said.
‘It is also happening from the smallest vehicles to the largest. We have a great opportunity here in Jersey because we do not have to worry about the range issue, which is the biggest concern with electric cars.
‘Not having to drive, let’s say 150 miles, makes Jersey a fantastic place for driving electric cars.’
The minister said that while he would, if re-elected, like to look at means of incentivising people to use low-emission vehicles, he would be reluctant to provide subsidies for them.
‘We wouldn’t be looking at subsidies but we need to look at ways to help people if they want to convert to electric cars,’ he said.
‘I would want to reward people who use electric cars, though and look at ways to encourage them. I think the conversion to electric cars could happen quite quickly and we want Jersey to be part of that and we need to be ready for when it happens.’
