The Environment Minister has reassured islanders that “nobody will need to surrender or scrap their vehicle” as he launched a consultation on plans to phase-out petrol and diesel cars from 2030.
The legal phase-out of petrol and diesel vehicles is anticipated to take at least 20 years and the proposals would prevent the importation and registration of all new to the island fossil fuel cars and small vans.
Islanders with existing petrol or diesel vehicles will not be impacted. Petrol and diesel will continue to be available at fuel forecourts.
From 2030, vehicle retailers will still be able to sell used petrol and diesel vehicles that are already registered locally. However, the types of vehicles that can be imported and registered will change when the phase-out is introduced.
The phase-out is part of a government commitment to reduce Jersey’s carbon emissions to net zero by 2050, as part of the agreed Carbon Neutral Roadmap.
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
environment minister steve luce
Currently 27% of the island’s emissions come from road transport – almost all of which is generated by cars.
Jersey is pursuing this change alongside the UK, where sales of new petrol and diesel vehicles will be phased-out from 2030.
The new consultation asks islanders for their views on the proposed scope, timings and exemptions of this change.
Feedback will be used to inform agreement of the final policy position.
Environment Minister Steve Luce explained: “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 added: “I appreciate that there are concerns about end-of-life electric vehicles and batteries and how these will be disposed of.
“Work is ongoing to ensure Jersey motorists can easily access disposal and recycling facilities as part of producer responsibility for these items.”
The consultation – which can be found online – is open until Friday 30 January 2026.