The UK government is considering introducing a scrappage scheme for diesel vehicles in a bid to cut emissions, according to news reports.
The Telegraph has reported that the Department for Transport and the Department of Environment, Forestry and Rural Affairs (Defra) had begun work to offer reduced rates on low-emission cars in exchange for older polluting vehicles.
Chris Grayling, the Transport Secretary, reportedly told the House of Commons that this was needed to deal with high pollution.
Grayling said: “We have to find the right way to migrate the nature of the cars…and vehicles on our roads to a point where they cause much less of a pollution problem than they do at the moment.”
Sue Robinson, director of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), welcomed the announcement, and stated the association’s intention to become involved in ensuring the success of the scheme.
Robinson said: “Scrappage schemes such as the 2009 vehicle scrappage scheme tend to drive the UK new car market which in turn drives the UK job market. The industry employs 700,000 people in the UK and last year alone 2.69m new cars were registered.
“A scrappage scheme would be welcomed by the NFDA as it would benefit the UK economy, job market, and consumers.”
