The head of an electric-vehicle hire firm has accused politicians of making “life in Jersey more expensive” after agreeing that every new home must include a parking space.
EVie CEO Nick Perchard-Rees said the decision, brought by St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft to address what he saw as disadvantages faced by town dwellers, would push up housing costs, make islanders more dependent on cars and worsen the cost-of-living crisis.
In a statement, Mr Perchard-Rees said the policy would “guarantee higher house prices, force families into thousands of pounds of extra transport costs, and abandon the affordability agenda politicians were elected to champion.”
He added: “Islanders don’t have a right to a car – they have a right to affordable housing and affordable transport. This vote undermines both.”
He argued that the policy “prioritises cars over people” and would “punish Islanders already struggling to pay their bills”.
Environment Minister Steve Luce had previously warned that each parking space could add between £30,000 and £70,000 to the cost of a typical home, increasing monthly mortgage payments by up to £410.
According to the Jersey Opinions and Lifestyle Survey 2024, 35% of Islanders travel to work by car on their own, while a further 10% share a vehicle. Around a third walk or run, 8% cycle or use an electric bike, and 5% take the bus.
Meanwhile, census data shows there were 68,219 cars and vans owned by private households in 2021 – roughly 674 vehicles for every 1,000 Islanders – up 9% in a decade.
While one-in-three homes in St Helier had no access to a vehicle, one-in-four rural households owned three or more.
The comments follow criticism from Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel, who said the policy would make developments less viable and drive up costs, and from housing providers and estate agents who have warned that it could restrict development in town.
Broadlands director Harry Trower described it as “not a feasible proposition” and also warned that it could increase traffic and reduce usable space in town, and said that incentives for e-bikes would be a better idea.
He said: “Why not sell one- and two-bedroom apartments with a grant for an e-bike? Jersey is perfect for e-bikes.”
