ACEA

US fleet renewal scheme helps bridge downturn, lowers CO2 emissions

September 2009 – The United States fleet renewal scheme has boosted GDP growth in the United States by 0.3-0.4 percentage points; new cars bought under the scheme were on average 58% more fuel-efficient than the ones traded in*.

By the end of August, almost 700,000 vehicle sales had been supported. With the government incentive favouring lower CO2-emissions, 84% of the old vehicles traded in were SUVs, pickup trucks and vans**, and only 16% passenger cars. Looking at the new vehicles bought, the share of the passenger cars was almost four times higher (59%), contributing to higher fuel-efficiency.

*according to the White House Council of Economic Advisers
** vehicle definitions as used in the US Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save (CARS) Act of 2009

• Full briefing by the US Department of Transportation
• Fleet renewal schemes can soften the impact of the recession
• US moves towards introduction of fleet renewal scheme

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