Car Scrappage Scheme ‘Simplistic’

Recommendations from the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee for a government–funded car scrappage scheme have been criticised by the Automotive Distribution Federation (ADF). “There is a blinkered attitude towards environmental issues which propels people towards simplistic ‘headline’ solutions, rather than small simple steps which, in combination, can have a significant impact,” says ADF chief executive Brian Spratt.

Spratt contends that tighter environmental inspections in MoT tests, which in turn would lead to better servicing of vehicles, along with programmes of driver behaviour training aimed at reducing pollution and improving fuel economy would be preferable. “Even a simple thing such as the correct tyre pressures,” he says, “will add to the positive impact and, cumulatively, outweigh the environmental costs of producing new vehicles. These straightforward measures will be a greater benefit to motorists who, despite any scrappage incentive, will still find it impossible to fund the purchase of a newer car.”

“There’s a lot of economic and social benefits from maintaining the individual’s personal mobility,” said Brian Spratt. “And that can be done without hitting lower income families in the pocket with higher VED rates, and without artificial schemes to take perfectly good, serviceable, vehicles off the road.”