Car scrappage plan's green benefits

09 March 2010

Apart from boosting UK car sales amid the recession, the popular car scrappage scheme also helped new cars reduce carbon emission last year, a study has shown.

Research by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) found that in the year 2009 new cars emitted 149.5g of CO2 per one kilometre on an average - a 5.4% decline on the previous year's figure.

This was also the best year-on-year improvement since the records began in 1997, The trade association said.

On average, cars bought through the Government's "cash for bangers" emitted 133.3g/km. This was 26.8% down the average of the vehicle being scrapped - which was 182.3g/km.

Attributing the scrappage scheme for helping cars go greener, SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said: "Building consumer awareness and delivering effective mechanisms to influence buying behaviour through a long-term environmental tax regime and the Government's recently announced ultra-low carbon incentive scheme, will become increasingly important."

According to SMMT, the Mini sector had the lowest average emissions - falling 6.7% to 115.6g/km.

Meanwhile, luxury car models - which averaged 250.3g/km last year - emerged as the worst pollutants, despite emissions were down 6% on 2008 in this sector.

Copyright © Press Association 2010