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Jersey Government Drops 2030 Second-Hand Petrol & Diesel Car Import Ban

The Government of Jersey has officially scrapped its planned 2030 ban on importing second-hand petrol and diesel cars, a policy reversal that signals a significant retreat from the island’s earlier climate commitments and immediately affects thousands of residents who rely on imported used vehicles for affordable personal transport.

Jersey Second-Hand Car Import Ban
(Image Source: Social Media/X — Jersey Second-Hand Car Import Ban.)

Insiders suggest the move marks a significant victory for common sense and consumer choice. Environment Minister Steve Luce confirmed this week that following a massive public consultation, the government will no longer pursue a universal restriction on used car imports . The original plan, part of the 2022 Carbon Neutral Roadmap, aimed to halt the registration of all fossil-fuel burning vehicles new to the island from 2030 .

However, sources close to the minister say the feedback was impossible to ignore. With over 2,000 survey responses and hundreds attending public events, it became “very clear” that including used vehicles was widely unpopular .

Why They Changed

Affordability First. The government’s own early economic assessment revealed a harsh reality. Officials realized that cutting off the supply of affordable second-hand cars would hit lower-income households the hardest . “Retaining the flow of used petrol and diesel vehicles…will help enable a more just transition,” Deputy Luce stated, emphasizing the need to protect those worst off from the financial burden of switching to EVs .

Supply Hurdles. Even if the money was there, the cars might not be. The motor trades face a unique logistical nightmare. Reports suggest UK manufacturers are reluctant to send electric cars to Jersey because the island isn’t included in their UK government sales quotas . This makes stocking new EVs a “challenge” for local dealers, further justifying the need to keep the used market flowing .

The New Plan

While the used ban is dead, the fate of new petrol and diesel imports hangs in the balance. The minister is “reserving his position” on banning new cars until the end of March .

Here is the current status of the proposed timeline:

  • Used Petrol/Diesel: Import ban scrapped indefinitely.
  • New Petrol/Diesel: Decision delayed; under review until late March 2026.
  • 2035 Targets: Proposals to ban hybrids and small vans remain on the table for now .

What They Said

“The inclusion of used vehicles in this policy has been something that is clearly not widely supported,” a government statement read, confirming that the original roadmap was simply not practical for the average Islander . This shift acknowledges that while road transport accounts for 27% of the island’s emissions, the transition must be manageable .

Do you think scrapping the used car ban is the right call for Jersey’s economy, or does it risk derailing the island’s net-zero targets? Drop your comments below and join the debate!