JERSEY risks being unprepared for an inevitable shift to driverless transport, an industry leader has warned after the government abandoned early work on driverless vehicle laws – despite tens of thousands of pounds already being spent.
Nick Perchard-Rees, chief executive of electric car rental firm EVie and car-back service Home James, warned that the Island risks missing out on safer, cheaper and more efficient transport if it continues to delay preparations for automated vehicles.
It comes just after this newspaper revealed that between £35,000 and £50,000 of public money had been spent on early legal work for autonomous vehicle trials – only for the project to be scrapped following a change in government in 2024.
Mr Perchard-Rees said the decision risks putting Jersey behind jurisdictions already embracing the technology.
“There’s a real risk Jersey falls behind if we keep hesitating on automated vehicle development,” he said. “This isn’t theoretical anymore, it’s already happening.”
He pointed to rapid progress elsewhere, including the UK’s Automated Vehicles Act 2024 and the rollout of self-driving vehicles on public roads this year, alongside fully operational autonomous ride services in other parts of the world.
When asked whether driverless technology is something his own business could adopt, Mr Perchard-Rees replied: “It’s something I’ve absolutely considered.”
“The direction of travel is clear, transport is becoming electric, connected and increasingly automated,” he added. “It’s not really a question of if, but when.”
Mr Perchard-Rees referenced figures showing that human error is responsible for around 90% of road traffic incidents globally.
Automated systems, he added, “don’t get distracted, tired or impaired” and can react faster while maintaining safe distances and communicating with other vehicles in real time.
Over time, he argued, that could “significantly reduce collisions and improve road safety”.
But the benefits, he said, extend beyond accident reduction.
“There’s also a big opportunity around convenience,” explained Mr Perchard-Rees. “A well-designed system could give people access to safe, affordable transport 24 hours a day, without the need to own a car.
“You’re talking about real-time tracking, smarter routing, less congestion, and no need to plan your life around availability.”
The business owner also questioned whether Jersey’s current reliance on larger vehicles makes sense for a small island with predominantly single-occupancy journeys.
A shift towards smaller, more flexible vehicles – combined with shared transport options – could “make far better use of our roads, ease congestion, and improve safety simultaneously”, he added.
He said that such changes could ease pressure on household finances during a cost-of-living crisis.
“If people can rely on a safe, always-available transport network, fewer people need to own a car,” he added.
“That reduces household costs and takes pressure off our already stretched infrastructure.”
Mr Perchard-Rees insisted the Island still has an opportunity to act – and may even be well placed to do so.
“Jersey doesn’t need to be first, but it does need to be ready,” he said, arguing that smaller jurisdictions can be ideal testing grounds due to shorter distances and simpler road networks.
He called on the government to create a clear path for testing, support small-scale pilots, embrace the technology, and “start thinking about how this fits into wider transport and planning”.
“It’s about being ready, not rushing,” said Mr Perchard-Rees. “This isn’t just about new technology, it’s about making island life better.
“Safer roads, less congestion, lower costs for residents, and a stronger, more modern offer for visitors.
“The opportunity is there. The question is whether we choose to prepare for it, or sit on the hard shoulder watching everyone overtake us.”
