Understanding the Carbon Footprint of Scrap Vehicles

Have you ever wondered how much pollution your old car is causing? Most people think about fuel efficiency and maintenance costs, but not many consider the carbon footprint of a scrap car. If you have an old, damaged, or unfit vehicle, scrapping it the right way can actually help reduce pollution.

With India's rapid urbanization and rising vehicle ownership, old vehicles are one of the biggest contributors to air pollution. In cities like Ahmedabad, Delhi, and Mumbai, where pollution levels are soaring, proper scrapping of vehicles can make a big difference. But how do scrap vehicles impact carbon emissions? And how can scrapping them help? Let’s break it down.

1. Introduction to the Carbon Footprint of Scrap Vehicles

A carbon footprint refers to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by a product, activity, or person. In the case of vehicles, emissions start from the moment they are manufactured, continue while they are in use, and even after they are scrapped.

According to a study by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the transport sector accounts for roughly 25% of total CO2 emissions worldwide, and older vehicles contribute significantly due to poor fuel efficiency and high pollution output. This is why car scrapping emissions must be handled responsibly.

2. Lifecycle Carbon Emissions of a Vehicle

Most people think vehicle emissions only come from driving, but that’s not the full story. A car's carbon footprint is spread across three major stages:

a) Manufacturing and Raw Material Extraction

• Extracting metals like steel, aluminum, and copper consumes massive amounts of energy.

• Producing one petrol/diesel car emits nearly 6-7 tonnes of CO2 before it even hits the road.

• Mining for materials also depletes natural resources.

b) Fuel Consumption and Usage

• Older cars, especially those older than 15-20 years, consume 30-50% more fuel than modern vehicles.

• Vehicles that don’t meet BS-VI emission norms release higher levels of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter (PM2.5 & PM10).

• A petrol car emits about 2.3 kg of CO2 per liter of fuel burned, and diesel vehicles emit even more.

c) End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) Emissions

• Vehicles that are abandoned or improperly scrapped continue to pollute through leaking oil, battery acid, and rusting metals.

• Old vehicles left in unregulated scrap yards can release toxic chemicals into the air, soil, and water.

• A proper car scrap yard in Ahmedabador any city ensures that harmful materials are recycled safely.

3. How Do Scrap Vehicles Impact Carbon Emissions?

A car that is not scrapped properly can harm the environment in several ways:

• Increased air pollution: Older vehicles emit 10-12 times more pollutants than new, fuel-efficient cars.

• Toxic waste from abandoned vehicles: Batteries, engine oil, and coolants leak into the ground, contaminating water sources.

• Unregulated scrapping leads to more emissions: If a vehicle is dismantled improperly, its recyclable parts end up in landfills, wasting valuable resources.

4. The Role of Vehicle Scrapping in Reducing Carbon

Footprint

Scrapping old vehicles responsibly helps in multiple ways:

✅ Removes high-pollution vehicles from the roads✅ Encourages recycling of metals, reducing the need for new mining✅ Reduces energy consumption, as recycled metal requires 60-75% less energy than producing new metal✅ Promotes adoption of BS-VI and electric vehicles (EVs), which are significantly greener

According to the Government of India’s Vehicle Scrappage Policy (2021), phasing out old vehicles could help reduce vehicular emissions by up to 25% in the coming years.

5. Government Policies on Vehicle Scrapping and Carbon

Reduction

To combat pollution and promote green mobility, the Indian government has introduced several measures:

• Vehicle Scrappage Policy (2021):

  • Private vehicles older than 20 years and commercial vehicles older than 15 years must undergo mandatory fitness tests.

  • Failing vehicles must be scrapped at Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities (RVSFs).

  • Owners of scrapped vehicles get tax benefits and discounts on new vehicles.

• BS-VI Emission Norms (2020):

  • Replacing old BS-II and BS-III vehicles with BS-VI models reduces pollution by 50-80%.

• Green Tax for Older Vehicles:

  • Older vehicles now pay higher road taxes to discourage their use.

These policies ensure that car scrap in Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi, and other cities happens in a regulated, environment-friendly way.

6. Role of Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities (RVSF) in Eco-Friendly Disposal

A Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility (RVSF) ensures that scrap cars are disposed of safely and legally.

How does an RVSF reduce carbon footprint?

✅ Properly recycles steel, aluminum, and copper✅ Disposes of hazardous materials like batteries, fuel, and oil safely✅ Issues a Certificate of Destruction (COD) to deregister the vehicle legally✅ Prevents illegal reselling of polluting cars

If you’re looking for a trusted car scrap yard  ensure that it is RVSF-certified for safe recycling.

7. Recycling and Reuse: How Scrapping Supports a Circular Economy

Instead of dumping old vehicles in landfills, scrapping enables material recovery:

♻️ 85-90% of a car’s materials can be recycled⚙️ Steel, aluminum, plastic, and rubber are reused in new vehicles🔋 Battery recycling reduces toxic waste and supports EV production

Recycling just one ton of steel saves 1.8 tons of iron ore, 630 kg of coal, and 55 kg of limestone – a huge win for the environment!

8. Future of Vehicle Scrapping and Carbon Reduction in India

The scrap car industry in India is set to grow significantly, with more eco-friendly scrap yards being developed.

• More RVSFs are being set up across cities like Ahmedabad, Pune, and Chennai

• Electric vehicle adoption is rising, reducing overall carbon emissions

• Automation in scrapping is improving efficiency, reducing manual waste

By 2025, India is expected to scrap over 50 lakh (5 million) old vehicles annually, reducing emissions and creating jobs in the recycling sector.

9. Conclusion: Why Scrapping Your Car Matters

🚗 Scrapping old cars reduces pollution and improves air quality🔋 Recycling car parts saves energy and resources💰 Owners get financial incentives for scrapping old vehicles🌱 Eco-friendly scrapping supports India’s Net Zero Emission goals

If you’re looking for car scrap in Ahmedabad, always choose an RVSF-certified car scrap yard in Ahmedabad for safe disposal.

♻️ Scrap smart, save the planet, and drive into a greener future! 🚗💨