No plans to re-run £4.3m electric vehicle incentive scheme

Tuesday 17 December 2024

A £4.3m scheme to help increase the purchase of electric vehicles has now closed after benefitting more than 1,200 islanders and businesses.

The Government’s Electric Vehicle Purchase Incentive (EVPI) scheme was launched in August 2023.

The scheme allowed islanders to apply for an incentive of 35% of the purchase value, up to a maximum of £3,500 towards the cost of an electric car or van. 

Funding of around £4.3m was allocated for schemes to help increase the adoption of electric vehicles in the Carbon Neutral Roadmap, as agreed by the States Assembly in April 2022.

Applications for the EVPI scheme were administered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Pictured: Environment Minister Steve Luce thanked the local vehicle retailers who supported the incentive.

Environment Minister Steve Luce said: “The demand for electric vehicles and the uptake of this incentive scheme was much greater and quicker than initially anticipated.

“I am pleased to see that many islanders have benefited from receiving a grant of up to £3,500 towards the purchase of a new or used electric vehicle, helping to reduce Jersey’s transport emissions.  

“The funds for this incentive were coming to an end when I last made an announcement in October, and as expected the final incentives have now been allocated which naturally draws the scheme to a close.

“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.

“I would like to thank everyone involved and our approved vehicle retailers who supported the incentive and helped make it so successful.”  

There are currently no plans to re-run the scheme under this term of Government. 

Chair of the Jersey Motor Trades Federation, Miles Jude, previously told Express that he was concerned that the end of the scheme would have a detrimental impact on the sale of electric vehicles.

He described the incentive as a “fantastic offer for consumers”, but noted that there had been "a flurry of sales in the last two months" as people realised the EVPI scheme was coming to an end.

“That will have probably pulled certain sales forward,” said Mr Jude.

“Then I would imagine there will probably be a little bit of a lull for a couple of months.”

Pictured: Miles Jude is the Chair of the Jersey Motor Trades Federation.

The Motor Trades Federation chair believe that it is too early to stop the scheme – with five years to go until the ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles in 2030.

“I think they [the Government] still need to put incentives in place,” he said.

“If they're serious about achieving their carbon neutrality goals, I think it's too early just to say, ‘Right, we did that, and all that's that, and you're on your own’.”

Mr Jude added that the end of the Government’s free parking scheme for electric vehicles could prove to be another “disincentive” for consumers.

Currently, newly-registered electric or partially electric vehicles get free parking in all States of Jersey car parks for 12 months from the vehicle's initial registration. After the first 12 months, parking is half price.

But this scheme is set to come to an end on 31 December 2024.

“I think it's better that the Government supports the consumer directly than the businesses themselves,” added Mr Jude.

Individuals and small businesses can still apply for £350 towards the installation of an electric vehicle smart charger by visiting: gov.je/goelectriccharger