THOUSANDS of responses to a public consultation on the proposed 2030 phase-out of petrol and diesel vehicles are now being analysed.
The 12-week consultation was launched as part of the government’s Common Strategic Policy commitment to deliver the Carbon Neutral Roadmap.
Islanders, businesses and organisations were invited to comment on plans to end the importation of new and used petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030.
The proposed phase-out is designed to align with the UK government’s timetable to end the sale of new pure petrol and diesel cars from 2030, with all new cars and vans being fully zero emission by 2035.
Environment Minister Steve Luce said: “The phase-out of petrol and diesel vehicles is the cornerstone of our commitment to decarbonise Jersey’s road transport; a sector which currently produces 27% of our greenhouse gas emissions.
“It will not be possible for us to reach net zero by 2050 if we don’t effectively tackle our road transport emissions, but we need to approach this transition in the right way for the Island.”
While acknowledging that a petition has been launched calling for the consultation period to be extended, Deputy Luce said it was now “imperative” to move forward with analysing the feedback.
“Vehicle retailers and motorists alike need clarity,” he said. “This will rightly take some time, but I will be looking to make an announcement at the earliest opportunity about how we intend to proceed.
“I want to emphasise that no final decisions have yet been taken and that we are aware of significant shifts in international approaches to phasing-out petrol and diesel vehicles.
“If there is compelling evidence to deviate from the model agreed in the Carbon Neutral Roadmap, this will be the direction we follow.”
