The city where drivers are offered £3,000 to give up polluting cars
DRIVERS are being offered £3,000 to give up their highly polluting cars.
They can then use the grant to take alternative forms of transport like trains and taxis.
Nearly 150 people have already been given the grant as part of a trial scheme taking place in Coventry.
The scheme is designed to tackle the “most polluting” cars such as diesel vehicles built before 2016 and petrol models made before 2006/
In return for giving up their cars, drivers will be given the cash loaded onto a card to use toward greener forms of transport.
This includes buses, trains, bicycles, electric scooters, car clubs and taxis.
The scheme aims to help lower the UK’s carbon emissions and tackle climate change.
Juliette Richards and husband Adair are one of the families who have already taken part in the trial, .
Most read in Money
The family of three, which includes 16-month-old son Josiah, gave up their old Ford Fiesta which went to the scrap heap.
They estimate that they have switched from £100 a month costs just keeping the motor on the drive, not including fuel or parking, to spending £35 to £40 a month on taxis.
They also got the £3,000 of transport credits for a car worth only £1,000.
Ms Richards told The Times: “Beforehand I wouldn’t take a taxi because it feels like a luxury, while spending money on the car doesn’t feel like a luxury, which is quite perverse really,”
She added: “Having the money on the card makes you think: ‘No, I’ll do it, because the money is there for that.’”
The scheme is funded through £1m of taxpayer cash and there are hopes that the grants could be rolled out more widely.
Hampshire county council is reported to be considering a “mobility credit scheme” for families who give up their car.
Coventry are still looking for 200 more people to take part in the scheme.
It comes as the government attempts to tackle climate change.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has outlined his plan to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars after 2030.
Homeowners could get £7,000 to ditch gas boilers for greener alternatives
The plan from the PM is part of what Mr Johnson has called a "green industrial revolution" to tackle climate change.
It also comes as petrol prices soar adding more to bills for drivers on top of other increases to the cost of living.
Petrol prices have surged above 140p per litre for the first time in almost a decade - and could soon break records in a fresh blow to household finances.
The scheme, which was first announced in February 2020 and launched earlier this year, is being run by the Transport for the West Midlands (TfWM) but funding will come from a £22million “future transport” initiative by the government.
Future of Transport Minister Rachel Maclean previously said: “The government continues to be at the forefront of the future of transport with opportunities for cleaner, cheaper, safer and more reliable travel.
“Our investment in Future Transport Zones, including the West Midlands Combined Authority which is running this scheme, will encourage a greener recovery from Covid-19 and we look forward to seeing how the trial progresses.”
Motorists driving into London could have to pay a fee to enter the Ultra Low Emission Zone if their car is too old for new pollution rules.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Drivers face £100 fine and three points on their licence after new motorway camera charge.
Martin Lewis has warned drivers they should check car insurance deals now - even if their policies are not up for renewal - ahead of a rule change coming soon
We pay for your stories!
Do you have a story for The Sun Online Money team?
Email us at [email protected]