THE government will not “prop up” e-bike provider EVie with public money as the “numbers don’t stack up”, the Infrastructure Minister has said.
Constable Andy Jehan revealed in the States Assembly that there were no plans to bail out EVie after the company suspended its fleet of 175 electric bikes in March as a result of insurance cover being withdrawn at “unsatisfactorily abrupt notice”.
In response to questions from former Environment Minister Jonathan Renouf, Mr Jehan said he and current Environment Minister Steve Luce met EVie in February.
He added that there was an exchange of emails in mid-March with chief executive Nick Perchard-Rees around proposals to government about a shared-mobility bike fleet which presented a number of alternatives for the EVie dockless electric bike system.
However, Mr Jehan added: “On the basis of the information provided by EVie, there was not a strong business case for government involvement and the matter was not pursued.
“In terms of insurance, officers in the Treasury team provided information to EVie in December, and, as far as I’m aware, to date they have not requested any further information, but Treasury would be happy to provide assistance where they can.
“This does not mean it would be possible to place EVie under the government’s insurance programme.”
Deputy Renouf pointed out that the recent Sustainable Transport Policy: Next Steps report, which commits to encouraging the use of alternative transport, said the government would work with “key stakeholders such as Evie” who already provide shared mobility solutions to Islanders.
The Infrastructure Minister said: “We are happy to continue discussions with EVie. There are a number of businesses who provide cycles for hire, and we are happy to work with any of those providers.
“We aren’t able to support a business case where the numbers don’t stack up to purchase all or part of the service.
“What we cannot do is spend money at a time when there are other demands on government finances. I believe that propping up this business is not something the government should be involved in.”
He added that EVie could seek sponsorship from local companies such as electricity providers or Visit Jersey, as is done in other jurisdictions.
Deputy Renouf also asked Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham about EVie during questions without notice.
Deputy Farnham said he agreed with the Infrastructure Minister that the government should not support a business like EVie, in spite of the company’s environmental credentials.
