Tougher policies for old vehicles in Europe

Owners of old vehicles in Europe are expected to face stricter policies and decisions that will affect their finances. In Southern Europe, including Greece, cars have aged due to the economic crisis. In Greece, the average age of cars is 17.5 years, compared to 12.3 years in the rest of the EU.

Europe is considering various measures to renew its vehicle fleet, such as scrappage incentives and stricter taxes. Spain offered up to €5,000 for the purchase of new low-emission vehicles, while Portugal proposes a subsidy of €4,000 for the purchase of a new or used car and €1,000 for simply scrapping the old one.

At the same time, low emission zones (LEZ) are being created in many European cities, where old cars are banned or restricted. Portugal has increased the road tax for cars with high CO₂ emissions, while the Commission proposes an annual MOT test for cars over 10 years old.

However, there are concerns about who will pay the cost of this transition. Poorer countries, such as Greece, cannot offer the same subsidies as richer countries. Therefore, fair incentives are needed so that citizens who cannot afford to buy new vehicles are not penalised.