Islanders turn to electric amid rising fuel costs

A Guernsey car dealer says demand for electric vehicles has surged with rising fuel prices linked to instability in global oil markets leading motorists to reconsider their options.

Pete Beausire, joint managing director of Le Mont Saint garage, said sales of the electric Fiat 500 had doubled, with drivers drawn to the potential lower running costs.

"On average we normally do five or six a month, but… we're doing up to 10 to 12 a month and we're running very low on stock. I think it's all down to the price of fuel," he said.

Robert Cornelius, Guernsey Motor Trade Association president, said drivers are increasingly focused on cutting costs and considering electric or hybrid alternatives.

Beausire added: "We're currently at £1.69 for petrol, which is the highest I can ever remember. The uptake here has been a lot more than I expected it to be."

Rising fuel costs also seem to be prompting people to consider electric bikes.

Matthew Joyce, owner and director of Wheels Co, said demand had surged with the shop now "very busy" and sales "almost entirely driven" by electric models.

"Fuel is definitely one of the aspects," he said.

"With an e-bike you have a small amount of maintenance per year that might cost you something in the region of £100 and then you've got whatever the electricity costs to keep your battery charged and that's it."

Cornelius said he expected the move towards electric to continue and that upcoming regulation, including the UK's zero-emission vehicle targets, would accelerate it.

"Obviously the cost of fuel is driving people to think that they will change their cars to something that is a bit cheaper to run," he said.

However, uncertainty over future taxation and policy changes in Guernsey could influence consumer decisions, added Cornelius.

"Over 90 pence a litre is currently duty. That is a lot. If you buy an electric car, currently there's no taxation. So you save a huge amount in your running cost.

"Obviously in the tax reforms that were recently announced which are going to be debated by the States there is reform at looking at electric cars and duties.

"Electric is becoming more common. And the UK government is seeing that which is why they're talking about pence per mileage charges on electric vehicles also."

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