The decision, approved by Infrastructure Minister Deputy Kevin Lewis, means any electric or hybrid vehicles that match set standards will be entitled to half-price parking in Government of Jersey car parks.
Additionally, any EVs and PHEVs which are ‘new’ to the island will be given the parking free for the year.
Currently, 176 vehicles on the island get free parking and 387 vehicles receive half-price parking.
The original scheme was launched in 2008, giving cars with low carbon emissions half price Paycard parking.
Since then, the scheme has evolved, reducing the maximum emissions allowed to be eligible.
The standards approved for 2022 will mean:
- Existing EVs and PHEVs already registered in Jersey with carbon emissions of less than 50g CO2 per kilometre travelled, while displaying a green badge identifier, will continue to be eligible for half price Paycard parking.
- Newly registered EVs and PHEVs to Jersey (including second hand vehicles from other jurisdictions) that qualify for the scheme above, will benefit from free parking for a period of 1 year in all Government of Jersey car parks. After this time they will revert to qualifying for half price parking.
The decision’s accompanying report notes that the scheme may have to change in future to account for a much higher number of eco-friendly cars being introduced to the island.
“As technological advances occur, a much higher proportion of private cars will qualify for the existing Eco-Permit, and it is envisaged that other vehicles would then have to either pay an increased rate for parking to compensate for the loss of income or the scheme be re-adjusted to take this into account,” it reads.