PLANS to ban the importation of petrol and diesel vehicles to Jersey have been shelved after a major public backlash, the Environment Minister has confirmed.
Deputy Steve Luce has abandoned proposals to restrict the importation and registration of fossil fuel vehicles from 2030.
The ban on new and used cars was part of the Island’s Carbon Neutral Roadmap, which was approved by the States Assembly in 2022.
However, the Environment Minister Steve Luce dropped the ‘used’ part of the equation in February, while also hinting that the ‘new’ element was also in doubt.
More than 5,000 Islanders took part in a public consultation, with over 2,000 completing the main survey.
“It is very clear from the consultation findings that the majority of respondents were not in favour of the proposed phase-out,” said Deputy Luce.
Concerns centred on cost, limited infrastructure, and fears over losing consumer choice. Islanders “wanted to retain freedom of choice” and warned that key systems such as public charging points are “not yet sufficiently mature”.
Therefore, instead of introducing “costly” new laws, the minister said Jersey will effectively rely on changes already taking place in the UK, where the sale of new petrol and diesel cars is due to end in 2030.
“As our vehicles are predominantly sourced through the UK market, our local motor traders will not be able to sell brand new pure petrol or diesel cars at that stage, although second-hand will still be in circulation,” he said.
“While I recognise that this decision may slow the rate at which we can reduce our road transport emissions, this is imperative to safeguard a just transition for local motorists, who might otherwise have been priced-out of having access to affordable vehicles.”
Treasury Minister Deputy Elaine Millar backed the decision, saying it would “continue to give people a choice”.
But she also warned that as electric vehicle uptake grows, falling fuel duty revenues may result in new charges – such as road usage or vehicle ownership fees.
