Industry backlash over end to free EV parking in Jersey

Drivers of electric cars will no longer get subsidised parking as of January 2025

Jersey's motor industry has said phasing out free parking for electric vehicles (EV) could turn people off buying them.

The government has said it is committed to reaching zero carbon emissions by 2050.

But Miles Jude, president of the Jersey Motor Trades Federation, said curbing free parking could scupper that goal.

Environment Minister Jonathan Renouf said the money was needed for investment elsewhere.

But Mr Jude argued EV drivers could be forced to pay up to £4,000 extra over five years if incentives were lost.

Launched in 2008 to encourage EV purchases, the Eco-Permit will run until 31 December 2024, the government has said.

Under the scheme, electric car owners can use States of Jersey car parks for free for 12 months from the vehicle's initial registration. Parking prices are half price after 12 months.

Mr Jude warned the new parking policy would be a "disincentive".

He added: "It's very disappointing from our point of view because obviously the island is having a massive push towards carbon neutrality and trying to encourage people to go down the electric vehicle route.

"So really it kind of smacks of disjointed government when obviously the Environment Department are working hard introducing initiatives to increase EV consumers.....where Infrastructure have withdrawn what is an incentive."

He said this would be "very disappointing" for people who had bought EVs "assuming free parking was going to continue".

Deputy Renouf said the Infrastructure Department was "effectively subsidising" EV parking, leading to a revenue shortfall.

He said the money was needed to "update parking infrastructure and invest in facilities".

Mr Renouf said as EV numbers increased the free parking policy would not be sustainable.

He said decarbonising transport was "particularly important", and added: "Infrastructure would stop funding that subsidy at the end of 2024, but that does not mean we could not introduce a different subsidy via a different means."

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