Thursday, August 20, 2009
Car scrappage scheme greener than expected
WhatGreenCar has supported the Government's Car Scrappage Scheme from its launch in April 2009 and now, at the halfway stage, it seems the UK Scheme has been a green success.
With orders reaching close to 155,000 since its introduction, the latest official data shows buyers are choosing cars that are significantly more eco friendly, with tailpipe CO2 emissions 25 per cent lower than emissions from the scrapped cars.
The figures show the average tailpipe CO2 figure for a scrapped car, is at least 179g/km, compared to a much lower 134g/km average for cars bought through the scheme. This means a reduction of 45g/km, which amounts to almost 70g/km when fuel and vehicle production emissions are taken into account.*
WhatGreenCar is delighted with the results as the figures exceed its own prediction, considered optimistic by some. In April, at the start of the scheme, WhatGreenCar predicted tailpipe emissions would fall by around 30g/km, leading to a lifecycle CO2 reduction of 50g/km.
This measurable, environmental reduction adds to the economic benefits of the scheme which has played a crucial role in preserving jobs in the UK auto industry, particularly in this time of recession. WhatGreenCar therefore continues to support the car scrappage scheme, although it maintains that further emissions reductions would be achieved by setting limits on the CO2 emissions of new cars purchased through the scheme, as is the case in some other EU schemes.
Dr Ben Lane commented: "While, it was obvious to us at the start that the UK scrappage scheme was first and foremost a job-saving measure, WhatGreenCar realised at the outset that the scheme also had the potential to promote greener cars. Following the fuel hikes of 2008 and the ensuing 'credit crunch', UK car buyers were already looking for smaller, more fuel-efficient models. The scrappage scheme has helped to continue this trend, at a time when UK car sales were at an all time low."
DATED: 20.08.09
FEED: AW
