At least 10,000 electric vehicles registered in the Isle of Man by 2030 - that’s the stated aim of the government.

It also aspires to, by 2050, all surface transport being powered by low emission technology.

The aims are included in report on low-emission travel that will be debated in Tynwald next week.

The Department of Infrastructure will also monitor technology developments to see how the bus network could be served by vehicles that are more environmentally-friendly.

Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer said: ’As a globally responsible nation, we require far-reaching future actions.

’We will need to reduce emissions in transport by increasing the number of electric vehicles. The department has already started trialling opportunities in this area and we are confident that by working across government and with others we will be better equipped to deliver the climate change action plan.’

His department’s report Moving Towards Low Emission Travel, covers surface transport and electric vehicles.

It states the following aim: ’That by 2030, at least 10,000 electric vehicles will be registered on the Isle of Man.’

The government will have to show ’innovation, leadership and vision’ to encourage a widespread adoption of low-emission vehicles, the report says, ’so that by 2050 all surface transport will be powered by ultra-low greenhouse gas emission technology’.

Machines of ’cultural importance’ such as heritage railways and those in motor sport events would be exempt.

Vehicle duty

The report, which also underscores the police of free and discounted vehicle duty rates for electric vehicles was published on the same day that Mr Harmer joined forces with Environment Minister Geoffrey Boot and Manx Utilities chairman Dr Alex Allinson to present to Tynwald members a climate change mitigation strategy for 2020-2030.

Tynwald has already agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the island to 80% of 1990 levels, by 2050.

Mr Boot said: ’We will launch our consultation later this month to agree a new strategy to enable the government to take further steps towards delivering Tynwald’s greenhouse gas emission targets by 2050.

’The United Nations has stated that climate change is the defining issue of our time and that urgent action must be taken now. The Isle of Man Government acknowledges this and is committed to taking a joined up approach towards tackling climate change.’

Last year Manx Utilities was asked to produce a Tynwald report on progress on electric transportation, home generation and electric heating.

That will also go before Tynwald next week.

Dr Allinson said: ’The Manx Utilities’ board fully supports the Department of the Environment, Food and Agriculture’s policy for climate change and is pleased to present to Tynwald our proposals to progress electric transportation infrastructure, home generation support, electric heating options and smart metering technology.

Emissions

’Manx Utilities needs to respond to a changing world and as a result change its business model with the need to grow electricity demand, reduce customer fuel costs and reduce carbon emissions.’

He added: ’We also need to complete the regional sewage treatment strategy, which will end the practice of raw sewage being continuously discharged into the sea and support our very special marine and coastal environments.’

The report says: ’Manx Utilities will implement its long-term low carbon vision in coordination with government policy, extracting maximum value from previous investments (sunk costs) while planning to replace those assets with low-carbon, value-for-money alternative solutions in a timely manner.

’The strategy is likely to optimise the use of the Isle of Man’s indigenous renewable resources in conjunction with advanced metering infrastructure and other advanced technologies to manage renewable generation intermittency issues to keep the power system supply and demand in balance.’

It adds: ’Enhanced interconnection with other jurisdictions could also form part of the long term solution.’

A ’green tariff’ for customers is also under consideration, the report states, while developing a model that makes electric heating more attractive to a wider range of consumers is on the to-do list.