Car manufacturers must mash old bangers

Scrap cars will soon have to be taken back and disposed of by their manufacturers, following changes to government regulations for end of life vehicles (ELVs).


Following the DTI’s announcement this week, automakers will have to take back consumers’ cars and then ensure that as much waste as possible from scrap vehicles is recycled or reused rather than being sent to landfill.

The ELV Regulations 2005 establish that, in the case of passenger cars and light vans, it will be the responsibility of vehicle manufacturers and professional importers to:

  • Put in place collection networks by 2006 to take back their own brands of vehicles when they reach the end of their lives
  • From 2006 onwards, ensure that value is recovered from 85% of the weight of their ELVs, to then increase to 95% from 2015
  • To take ELVs back from last owners free of charge for scrapping at collection networks from 2007

    Energy Minister Mike O’Brien said that the “own brand” system had received strong support from vehicle manufacturers.

    “About two million cars and vans are scrapped each year in the UK,” he said. “By ensuring that more are recycled through convenient take-back facilities, these regulations will benefit the environment and ought to be good news for car owners.”

    By Jane Kettle

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