Petrol and Diesel Phase Out in Jersey – Update
As mentioned a couple of weeks back, there is a consultation in Jersey to phase out the importation and registration of petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030. In keeping with the Club’s aims and objectives as outlined in the club’s constitution, we have been in contact with concerned motorsport and car clubs in Jersey, with the aim to support club members, other owners and the broader community. As a club we held a rally there just a few years ago and everyone had a fantastic time!
Just to confirm the key facts around this matter:
- Jersey has over 105,000 residents with thousands of classic car enthusiasts.
- Current rules stipulate that no tax is due on a car over 50 years.
- The current proposals would see no cars under 50 years old being allowed to be imported to Jersey from 2030.
- The current proposals would see no cars under 50 years old being allowed on the road from 2050.
We appreciate there are differing views around the environmental impact of cars that already exist compared to those that are newly produced. There certainly seems to be movement away from all out bans, with the EU announcing plans to drop their ban. Irrespective, for Figaro Owners Club, a car manufactured in 1991 and with such a small engine can realistically have very little impact compared to other vehicles.
As a club are concerned that these changes would:
- Impact on the mental health of current owners who love their cars and the joy they spread with other on-lookers.
- Impact on current owners from being able to sustain the heritage of the cars due to the loss of infrastructure and businesses supporting older vehicles.
- Prevent those who would also wish to see the Figaro marque sustainably retained on the roads, from having that choice.
- Prevent those who wish to own a Figaro from having the choice to own one.
- Severely impact engagement with younger prospective owners.
- See the end to the heritage and legacy of older vehicles in Jersey, ending the viability of car clubs and events such as the Jersey International Motoring Festival typically attended by over 35,000 visitors.
In other places, the threshold at which a car can be recognised for its heritage is significantly lower than 50 years – in the Isle of Man it’s 25 years, and Scotland 30 years. At the least we would hope that the Government of Jersey takes this into consideration.
What’s next?
- Figaro Owners Club concerns will be raised at a meeting with the Government of Jersey at Highlands College Great Hall on 12th January 2026 from 6.00pm to 7:45pm GMT.
- We are also reaching out to members who live in Jersey to see if they would like to attend.
- We would encourage anyone in Jersey to vocalise their concerns by participating in the consultation before 12th January, including owners of other cars, so should you have friends or family in Jersey, please do ask them to participate.
We will provide a further update to members as matters progress.
