No Vehicles Set for Scrapping Ahead of 2030 Petrol Ban

Motorists in Jersey will not be required to scrap their existing petrol or diesel vehicles as part of government plans to phase out fossil fuel transport by 2030, officials have confirmed.

The Government of Jersey has launched a public consultation, open until 30 January, inviting feedback on proposals to end the importation and registration of new petrol and diesel cars and small vans. The move forms part of the island’s wider strategy to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Under the proposals, vehicles already in use before 2030 would be allowed to remain on the road for the rest of their working life.

Environment Minister Deputy Steve Luce described the transition as a “really significant but necessary change for Jersey,” noting that road transport accounts for 27% of the island’s total emissions, with cars responsible for most of that figure.

The plans also outline a later deadline—2035—for ending the import and registration of other petrol and diesel vehicles such as heavy goods and agricultural vehicles.

Deputy Luce emphasised that the policy was not about penalising drivers:

“Nobody will need to surrender or scrap their vehicle. We want people to keep using their existing cars until the end of their useful lives, before replacing them with a zero or low-emission alternative.”

He added that the government was mindful of concerns surrounding the disposal of electric vehicles and their batteries, saying:

“Work is ongoing to ensure Jersey motorists have easy access to recycling and disposal facilities as part of producer responsibility for these items.”