Scrappage scheme for diesel cars will prove too costly for the Government
In the light of the recent emissions scandal, pressure is on the Government to push for better UK air quality, however the latest suggestion on a scrappage scheme for diesel cars, could leave them with a huge bill.
The Department for Transport and Defra are working together to come up with a scheme which offers owners of diesel vehicles cashback or a discount on a low-emission car if they agree to trade in their old vehicles.
Chris Grayling, the Transport Secretary, told industry experts that he supports plans for a scrappage scheme and the national press have recently hinted at conversations between the treasury and the department for transport officials, with a view to targeting the worst hit cities for air pollution in the UK, first.
There will be an update later in the year on the scheme but meanwhile we’ve seen speculation from the RAC and the AA.
Director of the RAC' Foundation, Steve Gooding said: “The risk is that a scheme could quickly run up a huge bill for the Exchequer, have only marginal impact in problem areas, and falter in encouraging the take-up of electric cars because the charging infrastructure isn't really in place to support their widespread use.”
AA president Edmund King mused that: “It was the Government who encouraged the dash for diesel with fiscal incentives. It would be poetic justice for the Government to now provide incentives for dismantling older diesels.”
Whatever the outcome, there is a huge push for cleaner air and we wait to see what shape the Government’s overarching Clean Air Strategy for 2017 will take.
They will be hoping drivers of diesel cars will be incentivised without too heavy a bill for the treasury, and UK tax payers, as a result.
But, while it is clear we need to look at greener alternatives such as electric cars – and the Government needs to be seen to be adopting this approach - ultimately it is highly unlikely that eradicating diesel cars off the road is going to happen any time soon. The cost for a Government that is fighting to reduce the deficit – not to mention uncertainly over the UK leaving the European Union – is surely just too great.
Andrew King is Purchasing Manager at leading online scrap car buying site, www.sellyourjamjar.co.uk/scrap-my-car - we buy any car whatever the make, model, mileage, age or condition and have been since 1999.