Attention, Canadian drivers. The government wants you out of that old clunker. Could they interest you in a bicycle instead? Perhaps a transit pass? No? Would $300 get you out of the thing?
MSN Money reports that the Canadian government is about to begin a program giving drivers incentives get rid of older, more polluting vehicles. "The government will give the Toronto-based Clean Air Foundation $92 million over four years to run a national vehicle 'scrappage' program."
AFP explains, "The National Vehicle Scrappage Program will offer these incentives to people who retire their 1995 or older model vehicles, and hopefully turn to more environmentally-friendly transportation, the government said." The government estimates, "Of the 18 million cars and trucks on Canada's roads, about five million were manufactured before 1996, when new tougher emissions standards were introduced. These pre-1996 models produce about 19 times more air pollutants than newer cars and trucks."
The Montreal Gazette notes that drivers returning an older car can choose from "a range of incentives, including public transit passes, bicycles, rebates on new cars, memberships in a car-sharing program or $300 cash," and in some cases, $750 off the purchase of a new GM Vehicles.
A government press release says the program will "guarantee" that old vehicles are "recycled in an environmentally responsible manner." We can't help but wonder, though, if they wouldn't be better off selling the old beaters on eBay. They could be worth a fortune.
Thinking of using the money on something more efficient? Research the best small cars and hybrids with U.S. News' car rankings and reviews.
