Jersey Car Parks: Discounted parking for low emission vehicles

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A decision made 18 December 2020:

Decision Reference: MD-T-2020-0067
Decision Summary Title :	Discounted parking for low emission vehicles		Date of Decision Summary:	7 December 2020
Decision Summary Author:	Assistant Manager Parking Control		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title :	Discounted parking for low emission vehicles		Date of Written Report:	7 December 2020
Written Report Author:	Assistant Manager Parking Control		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Jersey Car Parks – discounted parking for low emission vehicles
Decision(s): The Minister approved the extension of the discounted parking for low emission vehicles scheme to 31 December 2021.
Reason(s) for Decision: To extend the discounted parking for low emission vehicles scheme until 31 December 2021.
Resource Implications: Law Drafting. Infrastructure, Housing and Environment officer time.
Action Required: Officers to notify the public of the Minister’s decision.
Signature:		Position: Minister for Infrastructure
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Jersey Car Parks: Discounted parking for low emission vehicles

INFRASTRUCTURE, HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENT

DISCOUNTED PARKING FOR LOW EMISSION VEHICLES

Purpose of the Report

The report outlines the current arrangements for the existing Eco-Permit parking scheme.

Any fully electric or plug in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) with emissions of 50 gram CO2 per kilometre travelled or less currently qualifies for the scheme and will receive half price parking in Government of Jersey car parks and chargeable on street locations in St Helier.

Additionally, EVs and PHEVs ‘new to Jersey [1]’, meeting the emissions limits outlined above will qualify for free parking in Government 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 low carbon emissions to take advantage of half price Paycard parking. There have since been a number of changes which reduced the maximum emission levels following trends within the motor industry to produce more efficient engines.

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

Currently 120 vehicles (88 in 2019) receive free parking and a further 252 vehicles (214 in 2019) receive half price parking. It is expected that sales of these type of vehicles will increase every year as new model are released. Due to Covid19 we have not seen the expected growth of EV sales but forecast sale will increase during 2021.

If the current trends towards more efficient engines were to continue, Infrastructure, Housing and Environment 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 Government of Jersey.

Part of the ongoing effort by Infrastructure, Housing and Environment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is through the implementation of the Sustainable Transport Policy and offering half price or free parking in car parks to vehicles which are amongst the most efficient available.

The scheme has proved to be successful with an increasing number of vehicles being registered. It is recommended that this continue in its current form for a further period until 31st December 2021 and funded by the Car Park trading Account, during which time it will be reviewed to accommodate any suggested changes contained within the Sustainable Transport Plan and Carbon Neutral Strategy which are currently being updated.

Conclusion

Motor 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 the Eco-Permit scheme be expended for a further period of 1 year. At the time of writing this report, this represents PHEVs and EVs.

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.

The continuation of the scheme would still encourage the use of electric vehicles and low emission PHEVs which have the 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 continuing the Eco-Permits scheme from 1 January 2021. This includes the following elements.

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 Government of Jersey car parks. After this time they will revert to qualifying for half price parking.

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 is reflects the cleanest vehicle choices on the market and is straightforward to implement and police.

Action Required

Officers to notify the public of the Minister’s decision.

Written by:	Assistant Manager, Parking Control
Approved by:	Head of Transport, Highways and Infrastructure

[1] Vehicles are said to be "New to Jersey" if they are first registered by individuals or organisations with DVS from 1st Feb 2018. Owners purchasing cars which have previously been registered in Jersey by an individual or organisation (excluding car dealerships and garages) from 1st Feb 2018 cannot claim their car is "New to Jersey"