Tax on registering a vehicle up in 2024

Thursday 28 December 2023

It will cost £1,000 more to register the most polluting cars in Guernsey from the start of next year.

The States agreed to increase first registration duty by inflation as part of this year’s Budget, while members also backed the introduction of two new bands for those vehicles with the highest emissions.

Most of the extra money raised, an expected £250,000, will go towards subsidising the bus service.

Vehicles in band one, the least polluting, rise from £50 to £55.

While a petrol vehicle producing more than 231g/km of CO2 emissions, or a diesel producing more than 201g/km, will rise from £1,500 to £2,500, as they enter the new top class 8 banding.

“Guernsey has set the target through its Climate Change policy to reduce emissions by 57% on 1990 levels by 2030 and transport still remains Guernsey’s biggest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions,” said Environment & Infrastructure President Lindsay de Sausmarez.

“Currently those who choose to import higher carbon dioxide emitting vehicles pay much less in Guernsey than they would do in Jersey and the UK. These two new bandings bring us more in line with these jurisdictions, continuing the principle of ‘polluter pays’ so that those who are making efforts to reduce their emissions don’t have to pay for other people’s lifestyle choices."

“With this expected increase to revenue, I’m really pleased that the States have agreed to put the majority of this funding towards bus travel, so that we can continue to keep the cost of our bus service affordable and a travel option for all islanders. Buses are a vital public service and there are many people who depend on them, especially given the current cost of living pressures.”

The duty applies to all new and second-hand vehicles imported into and registered in Guernsey for the first time.