Questions Raised in Farnham as Petrol and Diesel Car Ban Looms

Jersey’s chief minister has questioned whether plans to start phasing out petrol and diesel cars from 2030 can realistically be delivered, citing cost and infrastructure challenges.

Deputy Lyndon Farnham said the island remained firmly committed to tackling climate change, but warned the current timetable for ending the use of conventionally fuelled vehicles may be difficult to achieve in practice.

Concerns include the relatively low uptake of electric vehicles, their high purchase price and limitations in charging infrastructure. His remarks come as a public consultation on the proposed phase-out approaches its closing date.

Under the existing proposals, residents would no longer be able to import or register new petrol or diesel vehicles from 2030. The policy forms a central pillar of the government’s Carbon Neutral Roadmap, which aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.

In a social media post encouraging islanders to take part in the consultation, Farnham called for a “practical, phased transition” and cautioned against setting deadlines he described as unrealistic. He said progress must be paced in a way people can afford, while government investment in infrastructure and emissions reduction continues.

The chief minister argued that Jersey risked moving ahead of market readiness, noting that the European Union is targeting 2035 for the end of new petrol and diesel car sales, with regions such as California working to a similar timeframe. He added that while the UK has proposed a 2030 target, it remains subject to debate and flexibility, and Norway’s earlier ambitions were underpinned by long-term incentives not available to Jersey.

Separately, Professor Liz Bentley, a member of Jersey’s Climate Council, said careful consideration of value for money was essential when investing in green policies, given competing public priorities.

Speaking to BBC Radio Jersey, she said achieving the island’s climate goals would be challenging but achievable, pointing to progress already made while acknowledging that significant work remains ahead as Jersey approaches its 2030 and 2035 milestones.