11.8.2009 Scrappage scheme greener than expected

Now at the half way mark, figures released this week show that the UK’s Car Scrappage Scheme has been a success up and down the country, with orders reaching 154,927. The data also shows that new cars bought under the scheme are significantly 'greener' than the cars scrapped.

The regional breakdowns show that the scheme has proved popular with car buyers across the UK with take-up highest in the South East (18%), the East of England (12%), the North West (11%) and South West (11%). These figures reflect a pattern that is broadly in line with national levels of car ownership.

Lord Mandelson, Secretary of State for Business said: "I'm pleased that we have already achieved over 150,000 new car orders. This is a great deal for manufacturers and dealers, not to mention the customers... The scheme has contributed to the 13.5% jump in car manufacturing and the first growth in new car registrations since April 2008."

The additional data also reveal that on average, new cars bought under the scheme have CO2 emissions that are 25% lower than the cars scrapped. The average tailpipe CO2 figure for scrapped cars is estimated to be at least 179g/km, compared to a much lower 134g/km emissions average for cars bought through the scheme; a reduction of 45g/km (almost 70g/km when 'upstream' vehicle and fuel production emissions are taken into account).

This even exceeds WhatGreenCar's prediction, considered optimistic by some at the start of the scheme, that tailpipe emissions would fall by around 30g/km, leading to a lifecycle CO2 reduction of 50g/km.

The UK scheme, with £300m from Government and matched funding from manufacturers, is succeeding in its main aim to provide immediate support on a short-term basis to boost the car industry and its supply chain during the downturn and stimulate demand. It is also succeeding to get older, more polluting vehicles off the road and encourage consumers to invest in new, safer, and potentially more environmentally friendly models.

WhatGreenCar, Newspress