02 May 2017

The government’s intentions for a diesel car scrappage scheme, as part of its revised air quality action plan, were supposed to have been published last Monday (24 April). They weren’t, because the general election took centre stage, and authorities shelved publication until after the main event.  

The air quality plan has been updated because environmental legal campaigner Client Earth contested the government’s original plan, claiming it wasn’t sufficiently tough on emissions. Policymakers were sent back to the drawing board and given until last week to draft improvements, among which the scrappage scheme was mooted.  

The government is now said to be in breach of a court order to take action in the shortest possible time, and has until 9 May to reveal its draft plan, while the final policy has to be released on 31 July.

Irrespective of your political leanings – or what you think about air quality and the environment – it has to be said that a bit of certainty wouldn’t go amiss. This isn’t the first time ministers have strategically timed key policy announcements in mind of electability, nor will it be the last, but given the current state of political and economical trepidation, the phrase ‘throw us a bone’ springs to mind.  

From an industry perspective, businesses selling cars need to know if and when to expect a glut of trade-ins.    

Jack Carfrae

Acting editor

Auto Retail Agenda

Tags: 2017 General Election, Air quality plan, Diesel scrappage scheme