Electric Transport

Environment continued

Electric Transport

As the emitter of 44% of the Island’s overall carbon emissions, transport, particularly road transport, is a huge carbon reduction opportunity in Jersey, where driving distances are short, and the electricity supply is already decarbonised. Research shows average ‘lifecycle’ emissions from electric cars are up to 70% lower than petrol cars* in countries such as Sweden and France where, like Jersey, most electricity comes from renewables and nuclear, and around 30% lower in the UK.

Jersey’s Citizens’ Assembly on Climate Change recognised the potential carbon savings from road transport in its recommendations published in June 2021, urging a ban on the sale of new fossil-fuel-powered vehicles from 2025.

The climate emergency, Jersey Government’s carbon neutrality aims and improved battery technology, have made more people consider making their next car an EV, and we want to remove as many barriers as we can by having the infrastructure in place to meet demand.

Meeting growth in demand

In 2020/21 we installed more public Evolve charging bays than in any previous year, increasing the total from 53 to 95 at year-end. This gives Jersey more public chargers per capita than the UK. Our own Queen’s Road site alone now has 13 public charging bays, showcasing the complete range the Evolve network off ers, from 7kW and 22kW wall-mounted chargers, a 22kW pedestal charger and one of the Island’s three 50kW Rapid chargers.

We are also future-proofi ng installations to make it easier to expand as demand grows. For example, we have installed 11 charging bays at Goose Green. Of these, six are currently dedicated for EV use only, while the other fi ve are part of a dual-use trial with the Government of Jersey and could become dedicated for EV use when demand grows. We are seeing that growth, albeit still slowly. At year-end there were 1,261 all-electric vehicles registered in Jersey, up 426 on last year. Of these, 1,112 were cars and vans. Hybrid vehicles have also increased by 485 to 1,694. Going forward, as now, we expect most EV owners to charge overnight at home. We are also working hard to make that easier for potential owners. Following a successful trial in collaboration with 30 EV owners, we are now looking to launch an allinclusive home charging solution next year that provides the charger and installation, maintenance and overnight, off -peak electricity for a fi xed monthly subscription.

We also continue to partner businesses and developers to increase EV charging accessibility as we move to a zero-carbon future.

Electric vehicles total on Jersey Register at year end 2021

197

VANS

915

CARS

47

WORKS TRUCKS

102

MOTORCYCLES

1,261

TOTAL

Up 426 on last year

*Source: www.exeter.ac.uk/news/research/title_783082_en.html

We also recognise the importance of good mental as well as physical health. Our HSE Team, working with HR and our team of 11 Mental Health First Aiders has continued to be vigilant and ready to help colleagues suff ering anxiety or other signs of mental stress as COVID-19 has continued to aff ect our lives.