No cars to be scrapped under 2030 petrol phase-out

A consultation on plans to remove petrol and diesel vehicles from Jersey's roads has been launched

Motorists will not be forced to scrap their vehicles under a plan to phase-out petrol and diesel from 2030, officials have said.

The Government of Jersey opened a consultation until 30 January asking for views on proposals to remove petrol and diesel cars and small vans from the island's roads as part of a move to net-zero emissions by 2050.

It said vehicles already being used before 2030 do not have to be removed from the road, but the registration and importation of new vehicles would be prevented.

Environment Minister Steve Luce said the plans were a "really significant but necessary change for Jersey".

The government said 27% of the island's emissions came from road transport and the majority of this was produced by cars.

Under the plans, the importation and registration of other types of petrol and diesel vehicles such as HGVs or agricultural vehicles would be phased out after 2035.

Deputy Luce said: "I'd like to emphasise that nobody will need to surrender or scrap their vehicle.

"We want people to use their existing vehicles until the end of their useful lives, before sustainably replacing them with a zero or low emission alternative."

He said the government was aware of concerns about how electric vehicles and batteries were disposed of.

"Work is ongoing to ensure Jersey motorists can easily access disposal and recycling facilities as part of producer responsibility for these items," he said.