‘Scrap dirty diesel cars to avail cash offer’

Bloomberg

Ford Motor Co. became the latest automaker to offer cash to UK drivers if they scrap the most polluting vehicles on the roads, targeting about 15 million cars and vans across the country.
From September 1 to December 31, Ford will offer to pay drivers as much as $5,200 for cars and 7,000 pounds for vans if they replace vehicles at least eight years old with newer models, according to a press release by the Detroit-based automaker on Tuesday.
Ford and its peers already give German drivers financial incentives to replace the dirtiest cars. It’s seeking to tackle an pollution problem caused by a loophole in European vehicle standards, which meant harmful nitrogen dioxide levels in the air rose as carbon dioxide emissions fell.
The UK has the largest fleet of diesel vehicles in Europe after drivers were encouraged to switch from gasoline, which emits more carbon dioxide for each mile driven. Mercedes-Benz AG and BMW AG, which also makes the Mini, have started similar scrappage programs in the UK, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders.
The UK government last month joined France in saying it would seek to end the sale of new diesel and gasoline fuelled cars by 2040.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said a diesel scrappage programme in the capital could costs as much as 515 million pounds.
“It’s a good time for the industry to respond,” said Andy Barratt, chairman and managing director of Ford Britain. “There are around 15 million older vehicles we’re targeting on the roads and updating these would have a positive and immediate effect on air quality.”