DEPARTMENT FOR INFRASTRUCTURE
DISCOUNTED PARKING FOR LOW EMISSION VEHICLES
Purpose of the Report
The report outlines the transitional arrangements and phasing from the existing Eco-Permit parking scheme to the recommended scheme.
The recommended scheme involves amending the Road Traffic (Public Parking Places – Charges) (Jersey) Order 2010 with regard to the existing discount parking scheme for low emission vehicles by lowering the emission level from 100g CO2 per kilometre travelled for all vehicles, to 50g CO2 per kilometre travelled. This new limit is anticipated to encompass only Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs).
Additionally, EVs and PHEVs ‘new to Jersey[1]’, meeting the emissions limits outlined above will qualify for free parking in States of Jersey car parks during the first year that the vehicle is registered in Jersey.
Background
The original Eco-Permit parking scheme was launched in 2008, allowing cars with then low carbon emissions to take advantage of half price Paycard parking. In 2012 a revision to the existing Eco-Permit scheme, which offered discounted parking for vehicles which have a reduced impact on the environment, was made via a Ministerial Decision (MD-T-2012-0004). From that time vehicles with carbon emissions of less than 100g of CO2 per kilometre travelled were able to use Paycards or parking season tickets bought at 50% discount in conjunction with a green badge identifier being displayed.
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 readjusted to take this into account.
If the current trends towards more efficient engines were to continue, the Department for Infrastructure would be effectively subsidising parking for an ever increasing pool of vehicles.
Discussion
Overall the road transport sector accounts for over one third of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing the greenhouse gas emissions through reduced consumption of fossil fuels is a stated target of the States of Jersey.
Part of the ongoing effort by the Department for Infrastructure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is through the implementation of Transport Policy and offering half price parking in car parks to vehicles which are amongst the most efficient available. Currently this incentive is managed through the Eco-Permit scheme, where owners of vehicles which emit less than 100g of CO2 per kilometre travelled are entitled to apply for an Eco-Permit, which allows season tickets and Paycards for States of Jersey car parks to be bought at half the regular price.
The current Eco-Permit scheme is five years old and in need of an update. As engine technology improves and engines become more efficient, more and more vehicles are qualifying for an Eco-Permit. Vehicles and engines that could be regarded as being the most efficient on the market when the Eco-Permit scheme was refreshed in 2012 no longer represent the most efficient choice of vehicle on the market for the consumer.
A change to the current Eco-Permit scheme is required to help meet current policy objectives and ensure that those buying the most efficient vehicles on the market continue to be rewarded. If the existing scheme were to remain unchanged, consumers buying or registering vehicles which do not represent the most efficient choices on the market would be rewarded, and this would not represent a good use of public resources.
As the amount of Eco-Permits has increased, there is a proportional increase in staff time spent administering and issuing them. There is also an impact on staff resource through the maintenance of the Eco-Permits database. To cover the cost of this staff time, it is recommended that a ‘user pays principle’ should be adopted and a small administration charge levied to cover these costs.
Owners of existing Eco-Permits, who have acquired their permit through either the existing version of the scheme, or the older (2008 – 2012) version of the scheme continue to use their permits. These vehicles do not represent a ‘clean vehicle’ by modern standards. Steps should be taken to remove the free parking subsidy from these vehicles as part of a phased approach, to allow households to adjust their travel behaviour with sufficient notice.
Conclusion
Subsequent to MD-T-2012-0004, and as expected, manufacturers have reacted to the challenge of producing vehicles which will make a difference to the local and global environment by making a wider range of low emission vehicles available.
It is proposed that a refresh to the Eco-Permit scheme, as a means of half price parking in all States of Jersey car parks, is implemented to a maximum of 50g CO2 per kilometre travelled. At the time of writing this report, this represents PHEVs and EVs.
As an additional incentive, from 1 February 2018 the owner of any new EVs or PHEVs (with emissions of <50g CO2 per km) registered in Jersey, can obtain a permit to get free parking in all States of Jersey car parks for the first year following the initial vehicle purchase. This will act as an incentive to introduce more of these cars to the Island, which in turn will trickle down to the second hand car markets.
It is also proposed that a scheme administration cost of £15 should be introduced, to cover the costs of issuing badge identifiers and maintaining the permit database.
The proposed change would still encourage the use of electric vehicles which have a potential to have a reduced impact on the environment and would ensure the relevant aspects of the Sustainable Transport Policy are adopted.
Recommendations
The Minister is recommended to approve changes to the Eco-Permits scheme from 1 February 2018. This includes the following elements.
- A £15 charge to cover the administration costs associated with checking and issuing of the green badge discount identifier from 1 February 2018.
- Close entry to the Eco-Permit scheme for all new entrants whose vehicles do not have an existing Eco-Permit and that have Carbon Emissions above 50g CO2 per km travelled threshold.
- 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 one year in all States of Jersey car parks. After this time they will revert to qualifying for half price parking.
- Vehicles which have previously qualified for an Eco-Permit under MD-T-2008-004 and MD-T-2012-004 will no longer be eligible for half price parking from 1 February 2019. These vehicles wishing to renew their eco permit from 1 February 2018 will need to pay an administration charge of £15.
- Vehicles which have previously qualified for an Eco-Permit under MD-T-2008-004 and MD-T-2012-004 will no longer be eligible to renew their permits if their vehicle is sold or transferred.
For clarity, Figure 1 and Figure 2 outline the recommended changes that are introduced to the Eco-Permits scheme.
Figure 1 – New entrants to the eco permit scheme.
Figure 2 – Existing Scheme Members
Reason(s) for Decisions
To continue to encourage the use of vehicles which are of benefit to the local and global environment, in a manner which reflects the cleanest vehicle choices on the market and is straightforward to implement and police.
Resource Implications
Law drafting time. Department for Infrastructure Officer time. JEP Gazette insert costs
Action Required
Officers to instruct the Law Draftsman to prepare the necessary Amendment to the Road Traffic (Public Parking Places – Charges) (Jersey) Order 2010 for subsequent submission to the Minister.
Written by: Senior Transport Planner – Transport Policy
Approved by: Director of Transport
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