The government’s decision to scrap a scheme which helped people purchase electric vehicles is a “big mistake”, said the Jersey Motor Trades Federation (JMTF).
The Electric Vehicle Purchase Incentive, which closed to applicants in December, offered people grants of up to £3,500 towards the purchase of new or used electric vehicles.
JMTF president Miles Jude said scrapping the scheme would make it more difficult for the government to hit its target of banning new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030.
Deputy Steve Luce, minister for the environment, said £4.3m scheme had already been allocated via the scheme and the funds had now run out.
The Eco-Permit scheme which offered free or half-price parking for electric vehicles was also scrapped by the government at the end of 2024.
Mr Jude said the government had made a big mistake.
“We’ve had two incentives running for the last couple of years, suddenly we have no incentive whatsoever,” he said.
“The government have laid their stool out that they want no fossil fuel cars in Jersey by 2030.
“If we are serious about achieving our carbon neutrality goals, the government has to put their hand in their pocket and keep incentivising it.”
‘We have no choice’
Mr Jude said people would not be “rushing to buy” electric vehicles in 2025.
“In 2022, 10% of the entire market was electric vehicles, that went up to 16% once the incentive was introduced in august 2023,” he said.
“2024 saw another 6% increase so its now up to 22% of the market.
“If we want that to continue and see that growth going forward we have no choice but to incentivise people to buy those vehicles.”
‘Significant emission reductions’
Deputy Luce said 1,200 people had benefitted from the The Electric Vehicle Purchase Incentive since its inception.
“It’s come to an end because we’ve run out of cash. We put a particular amount of money aside for the scheme and we’ve spent nearly £4.3m” he said.
“The demand for electric vehicles and the uptake of this incentive scheme was much greater and quicker than initially anticipated.
“This scheme will continue to deliver significant emission reductions for years to come, due to an increase in electric journeys and decrease in petrol and diesel commutes.”
He said his focus would now be on encouraging more islanders to move away from oil and gas heating in their homes towards electric.
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