The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) has published its new Mobility Credits Scrappage Scheme policy paper which urges Government to incentivise a move away from vehicle ownership.

To coincide with the launch of the Government’s Future of Mobility Urban Strategy, which was published today (March 19), the BVRLA’s policy paper makes the case for a nationally-funded, locally-targeted vehicle scrappage scheme that offers a mobility credit in exchange for a household scrapping its older, more polluting vehicle.

The credit, says the BVRLA, can be spent on more sustainable ‘pay-as-you-go’ private and public transport modes, including car and bike hire, car clubs, trams, buses and trains.

As well as reducing emissions, this scheme advances the shift away from private car ownership and increases the availability of road space in crowded urban areas, it says.

A mobility credits scheme can be used in conjunction with new technologies such as integrated Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platforms to incentivise more sustainable journeys involving public, shared and active transport.

The BVRLA and its members are already engaging with local and national policymakers to set out the role they can play in delivering the benefits promised by new mobility technologies and businesses models.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car is currently working with Transport for West Midlands on a Mobility Credits Scrappage Scheme pilot, AM’s sister title, Fleet News, reported.

“Over recent months, I have been delighted that policymakers see car rental and club as a key part of the mass transit solution in urban areas,” said Ben Lawson, vice president of strategy and mobility at Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

“Mobility Credits represent a real opportunity to change the behaviour of residents and will see a rise in people opting to use a variety of modes to meet their needs.

"Initially credits will help with reducing NOx emissions, but if they are delivered via a MaaS platform then it will ensure Britain has a adopted a pioneering and sustainable approach to transport policy."

Published today, the Future of Mobility Urban Strategy sets out the Government’s intention to explore regulations around new types of vehicles including e-scooters and e-cargo bike trailers.

The Department for Transport (DfT) says it will also explore how sharing data can improve services by reducing congestion, and how journey planning and payments can be simplified.

At the same time, the Government is launching a competition for up to four new ‘future mobility zones’, with funding of £90 million available to test ideas to improve journeys.

Ideas, it says, will tap into widespread smartphone use and will include smoother payment systems, better, more up-to-date travel information and the use of innovative forms of transport, with the aim of making travel in towns and cities more convenient, more reliable and cheaper.

Future of mobility minister, Jesse Norman, said: “We are at a potentially pivotal moment for the future of transport, with revolutionary technologies creating huge opportunities for cleaner, cheaper, safer and more reliable journeys.

“Through this strategy the Government aims to take advantage of these innovations; connecting more people and bringing big benefits we hope for both the economy and the environment.”

For views and insights into how motor retail will adapt to new technologies come to the Automotive Retail Congress on May 21. Click here for more details.