ETA queries eco credentials of scrappage

Date: 8/10/2009

The car scrappage scheme may not be as environmentally-friendly as it has been suggested.

That is the opinion of Yannick Read, press officer at the Environmental Transport Association, who has said that the ethical motoring organisation is not sure the scheme's environmental credentials can be "justified".

He said: "The government allowed people to believe, when it was launched, that there was an environmental element to it."

Instead of opting for the scrappage scheme, Mr Read urged people to "drive less".

Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders released earlier this month suggested that the average new car carbon emissions in September fell 4.9 per cent over the year to date?.

The government announced during the Labour party conference that it would be extending the car scrappage scheme to February.

According to Environmental Protection UK, road transport accounts for 22 per cent of UK emissions, with the average car producing 15 per cent of this output through its manufacture and disposal.