McArthur: Scottish Government car scrappage scheme is woefully unambitious

Scottish Liberal Democrat spokesperson for the climate crisis Liam McArthur MSP has today accused the Scottish Government’s Mobility and Scrappage Fund of being "woefully unambitious," highlighting that the scheme will only lead to the scrapping of around 300 cars and calling on the government to move further and faster in encouraging the transition to greener travel.  

The Mobility and Scrappage Fund is available in lower income areas and Air Quality Management Areas in Scotland. It gives drivers a cash grant of £2,000 to dispose of more heavily polluting vehicles. In total, the funding only supports around 300 cars being scrapped.

Mr McArthur commented:  

“While the piloting of a Scottish car scrappage scheme is a sensible proposal, the 300 cars it hopes to take off the road is woefully unambitious.  

“Meanwhile, Scottish Ministers are yet to publish a long-promised delivery plan for reducing car miles by 20% by 2030. Instead of developing a strategy, the government seems content to simply rely on throwing out piecemeal schemes in the hope something will stick.  

“Scottish Liberal Democrats are calling for the development of a reliable charging network across the country, for longer term government-backed interest-free loans to purchase EVs and the transformation of public transport to help more people leave their cars at home.”