AA welcomes practical import emissions standards

The AA is pleased with the announcement of the revised Vehicle Exhaust Emissions Rule today.

On behalf of its Members the AA asked the government to phase in the Emissions Rule standards over a longer time period.

“Under the original proposal, the age of used car imports would have been restricted to a maximum of eight years from 2008 and just four years by 2013. That could have excluded more than half the current imports and banned up to 90 per cent of the imports in subsequent years,” says Mike Noon, AA General Manager of Motoring Affairs.

“Such a reduction in the supply of used imports, combined with increasing prices for newer imports would have led to many motorists keeping their older cars for longer. Rather than improving fleet emissions, the proposals could have had the opposite effect.”

“Today’s announcement of a phased approach means that the industry and motorists’ fears of a shortage of imports and large price rises are likely to be unfounded for petrol vehicles, although small price increases may still occur.”

“Under the new rules the age of light and heavy diesel imports will be restricted to between four and six years from 2008, and five years from 2010. This will make it difficult for those seeking cheap diesel imports as these have often been older. The commercial sector particularly may find the changes difficult. On balance the AA believes diesel imports are where the new rules need to be focussed as poorly-maintained older diesels have been shown to be a major contributor of emissions, and the Rule will help address this,” says Mr Noon.

“Although import volumes may never again be as high as in previous years, the AA supports imposing minimum emissions standards for used imports. With more progressive changes there will still be enough affordable used vehicles for motorists to regularly upgrade to newer, cleaner and safer models.”

ENDS

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