Used Cars Exempt from Upcoming Petrol and Diesel Vehicle Ban

Proposals to prohibit the import of second-hand petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030 have been abandoned, the Environment Minister has confirmed.

Addressing the States Assembly, Steve Luce said consultation feedback made clear that including used vehicles in the policy lacked public support. He added that the cost of motoring remained a key concern for islanders.

Lawmakers had previously backed a gradual phase-out of petrol and diesel vehicles under Jersey’s Carbon Neutral Roadmap, broadly mirroring policies in the UK. However, Luce said his decision was shaped not only by public opinion but also by an early assessment of the potential economic impact.

He did not indicate whether restrictions on new petrol and diesel cars would still go ahead.

Concerns Over Costs

In a ministerial statement, Luce noted that more than 200 responses had been submitted by residents and businesses during the consultation period. While a full review is ongoing, he said the feedback strongly favoured revising the original approach.

The initial proposal aimed to begin phasing out and halt imports of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030. That plan will now be amended to allow continued importation and registration of used vehicles.

Maintaining access to second-hand petrol and diesel cars would support a fairer transition, Luce said, by avoiding disproportionate financial pressure on lower-income households. He emphasised the need to keep motoring affordable, both when purchasing vehicles and covering ongoing maintenance and repair costs.

Ensuring drivers retain practical and affordable transport options is essential, he added, while officials must still weigh the environmental consequences of the revised policy.

Luce said he would decide later whether new petrol and diesel vehicles might face similar changes once all consultation responses had been analysed. He acknowledged that any move affecting new cars could prove complicated, citing concerns that UK manufacturers may be hesitant to supply electric vehicles to the Channel Islands market.