E-bike voucher scheme to end early

The scheme has helped more than 600 islanders with the purchase of an e-bike

Jersey's minister for the environment has decided to end the government's electric bike incentive scheme early.

Deputy Steve Luce has decided to reallocate the remaining funding to support businesses switch to electric vans.

The e-bike scheme was launched in January last year as part of the island's commitment to reduce carbon emissions.

The scheme has helped more than 600 islanders with the purchase of an e-bike, e-cargo bike or adapted e-cycle.

'Genuinely lifechanging'

The final set of vouchers were due to be released in July.

However, as the redemption rate of the last release in March was about 31% the minister decided to close the scheme.

Mr Luce said: "With only a minority of issued e-bike vouchers actually being redeemed by those who got them, I have decided to divert the funding to other aspects of the Carbon Neutral Roadmap.

"My thanks go to the bike retailers who’ve supported us with this scheme over the past year and a half.

"We know the opportunity to buy an e-bike at a reduced price has been genuinely lifechanging for some Islanders who had not previously had the option to cycle."