Environmental Quality Branch

VEHICLE EMISSIONS

B.C. Expands Program to Scrap Inefficient Vehicles

Last Updated: May 2008

On March 29, 2008, the Province announced that it is investing $15 million to enhance and expand the Scrap-It program across British Columbia, giving people real incentives to take old automobiles with higher greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions off the road.

Scrap-It is a voluntary program that provides incentives to help British Columbians to trade in pre-1993, high-polluting vehicles for cleaner kinds of transportation with lower emissions.

The Scrap-It program was previously available only in the Lower Mainland. This additional investment means the program will be expanded across the province and redesigned to put a greater emphasis on reducing CO₂ from older vehicles.

The $15 million in additional funding will go towards doubling the largest incentives to $2,000, which would apply to the choices with the largest GHG reduction, such as a hybrid car or transit passes. A base incentive of $500 will apply to choices with low GHG-reduction benefits, and a new middle-level incentive of $1,000 will be created to encourage choices with medium emission reductions, such as the purchase of more fuel-efficient vehicles.

To qualify for the program, the vehicle to be “scrapped” must be a 1993 or older model, have been insured for the past year, and be driven to the collection point under its own power.

It is expected the program will “scrap” between 10,000-20,000 older vehicles over the next three years. If an average of three tonnes a year of CO₂ is secured from 15,000 “scrapped” vehicles for a three-year remaining life, it would reduce CO₂ emissions in B.C. by an estimated 135,000 tonnes.

The Scrap-It Society is in the process of re-designing the program that currently operates in the Lower Mainland, and developing the program that will be offered across the province.

For More Information:

Scrap-It Program
#70 - 10551 Shellbridge Way
Richmond, B.C.
V6X 2W9

Fax: 604-214-9965
Toll-free Infoline: 1-888-655-1000

http://www.scrapit.ca/