Scrapping premium was used for the purchases of 6,677 new cars between 1 January and 31 August 2018. The campaign aimed at renewing the car fleet, reducing traffic emissions and improving traffic safety.
In comparison to all passenger cars registered as being on the road on 31 December 2017, the cars scrapped as part of the 2018 campaign were on average older and produced more emissions.
In 2018, new passenger cars purchased with the scrapping premium had lower carbon dioxide emissions (100.1 g/km) than first-time registered cars purchased without the premium (118.4 g/km) on average. Cars purchased with the scrapping premium were mainly smaller passenger cars. The most popular models were Toyota Yaris, Hyundai i20 and Ford Fiesta.
Of the EUR 8 million appropriation in the state budget, 91% (approx. EUR 7.3 million) was used.
Number of scrapping deregistrations increased in 2018 – scrapping premium and system development behind the boost
The number of scrapping deregistrations increased in 2018. In 2015–2017, the number of scrapping deregistrations was approximately 60,000 per year, whereas in 2018, the number grew to over 80,000. It seems that the joint system development of the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom and the scrapping industry, which had been implemented since 2017, had a significant effect. This development enabled a more automated and faster method of registering scrapping deregistrations in the Transport Register directly from the scrapping operators’ systems.
In 2018, a new passenger car purchased without a scrapping premium was on average registered for the first time to a 53.8-year-old man. Scrapping premium, on the other hand, encouraged on average younger people to scrap their car and replace it with a new one. Women’s share of cars purchased with the scrapping premium (39%) was slightly higher than women’s share of cars purchased without the premium (35%).
The overall impact of the scrapping premium was positive. Cars purchased during the campaign produced fewer emissions. In addition, the campaign increased the number of scrapped cars. The campaign also did not cause any significant increase in staffing requirements for Traficom, as it was possible to automate most of the processes involved. Based on these indicators, it can be said that the campaign succeeded in its goals even though not all of the allocated funds were used.
Enquiries
Elsa Paasilinna, Development Manager, tel. +358 29 534 6391, elsa.paasilinna(at)traficom.fi, Twitter: @ElsaPaasilinna (External link)
Antti Halmetoja, Special Adviser, tel. +358 29 534 6174, antti.halmetoja(at)traficom.fi