Friday 05 September 2014
Guernsey Press Enquiry:
I'm working on a story for BBC Radio Guernsey about electric cars and was hoping you could provide some information from the department.
- The department mentions electric cars a couple of times in its transport strategy, following States debates on the proposals earlier this year, is it planning on encouraging the use of the vehicles?
- Is the department supporting the introduction of tax breaks for people who use electric cars? What's the latest on this concept?
- Will the department introduce preferential "green" car parking spaces for electric car drivers? Or create charging points for electric cars around the island?
I'd like to arrange an interview with someone on the Environment board about this topic.
Environment Department Response:
The recently approved Transport Strategy seeks to encourage a switch to electric vehicles by means of the introduction in the near future of a £1,000 subsidy for newly registered vehicles. This will be funded by emissions charges on larger, high emission vehicles.
Small electric vehicles are ideal for the short journeys undertaken in Guernsey. They are usually charged at night using imported renewable energy. This means that not only are they zero tailpipe emission but also low carbon.
The Strategy proposes providing a small number of charging points in the town area to allow visitors bringing electric vehicles and those without off-road parking to recharge.
There will also be concessions on parking charges for low or zero emission vehicles. Preferential parking spaces in terms of location will be limited to small cars and disabled bays.
Contact Information:
Traffic and Transport Services Unit
Environment Department
Tel: 243400
