1,000 car owners to benefit from scrappage scheme

The third car scrappage scheme in as many years was launched this morning by finance minister Edward Scicluna.

The previous two schemes were fully taken up and 5,166 old cars were taken off the roads and replaced by cleaner cars.

"We would like to raise awareness on the scheme included in the last budget," Scicluna said, pointing out that while the previous two schemes which offered up to €2,000 for owners who scrapped their old cars the new one offers a flat rate of €500.

"The aim of the scheme is to remove old polluting cars from our roads and replace them with new, efficient and clean cars," Scicluna said. He added that the average age of cars in Malta stood at 13.86 in 2012, up from 13.80 the previous year. The average age of commercial vehicles is even higher, standing at 17.5%.

Anyone scrapping an old car will receive €500 if this is replaced by a new car a engine rating of Euro V or above. The scheme, also available to companies looking at replacing commercial vehicles, apply to cars 10 years or older.

However, individuals and companies can only apply once and the scheme will last for 12 months or until the €500,000 budget is taken up.

The scheme comes into force tomorrow and applications will be made available at all car dealers.