Scrappage Drive Helps Cut Emissions

The car scrappage scheme was not only beneficial to motorists and car sales, but the environment also, it has emerged.

A study by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) found new cars got greener last year, with the 09 and 59 plate vehicles emitting 149.5g of CO2 per one kilometre last year - a 5.4% drop on the figure in 2008.

This was also the best year-on-year improvement since records began 13-years ago, the SMMT said.

Praising the Government's "cash for bangers" scheme for helping to reduce emissions from new cars, SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said: "Building consumer awareness and delivering effective mechanisms to influence buying behaviour through a long-term environmental tax regime and the Government's recently announced ultra-low carbon incentive scheme, will become increasingly important."

On average, vehicles bought through the scheme emitted 133.3g/km - some 26.8% below the average of the vehicle being scrapped, which was 182.3g/km.

The Mini sector had the lowest average emissions last year - dropping 6.7% to 115.6g/km. Luxury car models - which averaged 250.3g/km last year - were the worst pollutants, although emissions in this sector were down 6% on 2008.