Car Fleet Renewal Schemes: Environmental and Safety Impacts

Many governments have subsidised fleet renewal schemes to stimulate consumer spending on cars during economic downturns. Subsidies are often linked to the environmental performance of vehicles, but how effective is accelerated fleet renewal in reducing emissions and can schemes be designed to improve the safety of cars on the road?

This report examines three of the largest programmes introduced in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, in France, Germany and the United States. It investigates the impact of 2.8 million transactions trading-in old cars for new on CO2 and NOx emissions and on road safety. It assesses value for money and identifies critical design elements for success in meeting environmental and safety objectives. The results of the analysis provide guidance for the design of any future schemes.