"No final decisions" have yet been made about plans aimed at limiting the number of carbon-emitting vehicles on Jersey's roads, the environment minister has said.
The States Assembly agreed in April 2022 that from 2030, the importation and registration of petrol and diesel vehicles would begin to be phased-out.
But, following the closure of a public consultation on the proposals, Deputy Steve Luce indicated ministers would be willing to change approach if there was "compelling evidence" to do so.
Luce's statement followed comments from the chief minister, who said earlier this month that while the island was "committed to tackling climate change", the current plan "might not be practicable".
Under the measures currently proposed by the Government of Jersey, the following types of new and used vehicles could no longer be imported to, or registered in, the island for the first-time:
- From 2030: cars (petrol and diesel)
- From 2035: cars (hybrid and plug-in hybrid), small vans (petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid)
- After 2035 (dates to be confirmed): all other types of petrol and diesel vehicles including hybrids and plug-in hybrids
People who responded to the consultation were asked to share their views on the scope of the proposed rules, the suggested timings, and whether any vehicle types should be exempt from the regulations.
Respondents were told their feedback would be used to inform the government's final policy position.
In a statement published after the consultation had closed, Luce said phasing out the vehicles was a cornerstone of the government's commitment to decarbonise the island's road transport - a sector responsible for 27% of its greenhouse gas emissions.
"It will not be possible for us to reach net zero by 2050 if we don't effectively tackle our road transport emissions, but we need to approach this transition in the right way for the island," he said.
"I want to emphasise that no final decisions have yet been taken and that we are aware of significant shifts in international approaches to phasing-out petrol and diesel vehicles."
He said if there was compelling evidence to deviate from the model agreed in the Carbon Neutral Roadmap, the government would do so.
Luce said "thousands" of islanders had completed the consultation survey during the 12-week period of engagement, while others had attended consultation events to share their opinions in person.
He noted a petition had been launched, seeking to extend the consultation period, but added it was "imperative" government officials got "on with analysing the responses received".
He said: "Vehicle retailers and motorists alike need clarity."
"This will rightly take some time, but I will be looking to make an announcement at the earliest opportunity about how we intend to proceed."
Jersey's phase-out plans were intended to coincide with the UK government's commitment to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in 2030.
The European Commission recently watered down its plans to do the same thing from 2035.