A car scrappage scheme in Kazakhstan running since 2016 has so far seen over 58,740 vehicles collected. The Government backed nationwide scheme intends to increase this number to 250,000 vehicles by 2021.
The Tengri News in Kazakhstan reports that about 1.25 million of its country’s vehicles, a quarter of the estimated 5 million vehicles were manufactured during the Soviet area. So with support of the local automotive industry the programme is seeking to modernise the driving experience for its citizens.
The scheme has been implemented by creating 17 individual collection points throughout the country. Those using the programme have been incentivised by being able to trade in their old vehicle for cash depending on the auto parts present. The compensation for the old automobiles range between USD$300 and USD$500. A discount certificate is also available to purchase new vehicles assembled in Kazakhstan. This can be up to USD$1000 for a car and USD$2000 for a truck or a bus. The certificates issued are also combined and transferred between individuals with 11,500 discount certificates issued so far.
Speaking to the Astana Times, Aidar Mukhit said “I have driven my car for so many years now, but everything has its expiration date. I could have made repairs to it, but who knows what can happen on the road, what if something fails. That is why I decided to turn in my car. I don’t want to risk the lives of my loved ones.”
What is pivotal to the programme has been the creation of a processing plant in the city Karaganda where all of the vehicles when crushed are sent to and is reported as being the largest such plant in Central Asia. Vehicles are broken and stripped. Motor oil and other fluids are converted into fuel. Produced metal is supplied to mills throughout the Karaganda area. It is reported that when the scheme finishes in 2021 an estimated 23,000 tonnes of metal per year will be produced from recycled parts.
Source: www.astanatimes.com
