You are here: Home News Dutch News Amsterdam pays residents to scrap old cars
Enlarge font Decrease font Text size


02/07/2009Amsterdam pays residents to scrap old cars

City to pay a bonus on top of money offered by the national government to replace polluting cars.

Amsterdam – The Dutch capital Amsterdam announced Wednesday a cash bonus of up to EUR 1,000 (USD 1,400) for residents who scrap their old cars to buy newer, environmentally friendly ones.

From 1 October, "Amsterdammers who scrap their old cars and buy a cleaner alternative ... can get a bonus of between EUR 250 and EUR 1,000," the city said in a statement.

About EUR six million had been budgeted for the project on top of a scrapping bonus issued by the national government recently of up to EUR 1,750 per car in a bid to boost the automotive industry amid the global economic crunch.

"In this manner, we help counter the recession and contribute to the environmental sustainability of the city," said Amsterdam councillor Hans Gerson.

Amsterdammers wishing to get rid of their old gas guzzlers without replacing them qualified for a bonus of between EUR 500 and EUR 1,000 – but this applied only to the worst polluters.

About 14,000 cars were expected to be scrapped as a result of the project, which runs until end-2010, said the council statement.

Other European countries, including Austria, France, Germany and Italy, have introduced similar incentives to boost their car industries.

AFP / Expatica




0 reactions to this article

Discussion Forums

Netherlands Soapbox

Green issues, by Swamp Zombie

Sport in the Netherlands

looking for a tennis partner in amsterdam, by Kaja

Employment in the Netherlands

Salaries in Netherlands, by Canucky Woman

Legal Problems in the Netherlands

dutch nationality, by tudor_geo

Legal Problems in the Netherlands

Absence from the EU, by tudor_geo

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
Setting up home in the Netherlands

Setting up home in the Netherlands

A guide to telephone, internet and television along with utility services water, electricity and gas in the Netherlands.

Dutch immigration and residency regulations

Dutch immigration and residency regulations

Lost in the Dutch immigration system? Look no further than this guide compiled for our Survival Guide 2009.

The Netherlands at a glance

The Netherlands at a glance

Some basic facts and figures about living and working in the Netherlands.

Giving birth in the Netherlands

Giving birth in the Netherlands

The challenges and benefits of the maternity system in the Netherlands and how it differs to other countries.