Motorpoint has been chosen by Birmingham City Council to deliver the city’s Clean Air Zone’s Scrappage and Travel Scheme.
The UK’s largest independent car retailer, which has stores in Aston and Oldbury, will begin offering eligible people working in the Clean Air Zone from June 2021 onwards the chance to scrap their old car and receive Government funding towards a new vehicle that meets the zone’s emission standards.
The Clean Air Zone Scrappage and Travel Scheme enables people who work in the zone and who earn less than £30,000p.a. to scrap a vehicle that would be subject to the daily fee from 1 June 2021. In exchange, they will receive £2,000 credit towards a compliant vehicle from Motorpoint or £2,000 in a ‘mobility’ credit to use on public transport via Swift Card with Transport for West Midlands.
Kevin Cartwright, General Manager of Motorpoint Birmingham and Oldbury, said: “We are proud to have been given the opportunity to support the Clean Air Zone’s Scrappage and Travel Scheme and through it help play our part in reducing the level of nitrogen dioxide emissions in Birmingham.
“Motorpoint has thousands of low mileage, nearly new, Clean Air Zone compliant vehicles in stock to ensure there is something to suit all tastes and budgets, and all are available with our same day driveaway service, which means customers can choose, buy and drive away in just over an hour from either our Birmingham or Oldbury stores.”
Steve Arnold, Head of the Clean Air Zone at Birmingham City Council, added: “We have had a high number of workers who have registered an interest the Scrappage and Travel Scheme so today’s announcement will spark huge excitement amongst city centre workers. Motorpoint has thousands of vehicles to choose from, all of which will meet Clean Air Zone emission standards.
"We are continuing to take expressions of interest in the scheme through www.brumbreathes.co.uk and we expect to be able to accept full applications shortly. In the meantime, we are encouraging workers who may qualify for this scheme to also apply for a temporary exemption permit so that their existing vehicle will not be subject to the charge when the zone launches on 1 June this year.”
Applications for the scheme are expected to open prior to the Clean Air Zone launching on 1 June 2021. Those who have registered an expression of interest through the Brum Breathes website will be first to be notified of the scheme launching.
The full eligibility criteria and terms and conditions for the scheme are available here.
First car purchased through Clean Air Zone Vehicle Scrappage Scheme collected from Motorpoint
Peter Crowther, who works within the Faculty of Arts, Design and Media at Birmingham City University, became the first person in the West Midlands to take advantage of the scheme to buy himself a Skoda Fabia to use to commute between home in Willenhall and work in Central Birmingham.
“I’ve had my Nissan Note for about five years,” explained 29 year-old Peter, “during which time I’ve done over 100,000 miles with work, firstly with BBC WM and then, more recently, 5Live in Salford. However, it was getting close to its MOT and I knew I would have to spend a lot of money to get it to pass, and I didn’t think it was worth it given its value.
“Then I heard about the scheme and I would be lying if I said that the £2,000 credit towards a new car wasn’t a factor in deciding to change now as it has really helped in terms of affordability. Ironically, whilst this is the third car that I have owned, this will be the first that I have actually bought from a dealer, as the other two were through family and friends, but the experience has been really good with everyone at Motorpoint being really helpful throughout.”
Peter added: “I am really happy to have taken advantage of the Clean Air Zone Vehicle Scrappage and Travel Scheme and get on the road with a much newer and a much cleaner car, especially one from Motorpoint which also comes with the rest of the manufacturer’s warranty, giving me added peace of mind.”
Kevin Cartwright, General Manager of Motorpoint Birmingham and Oldbury, added: “We’re delighted to see our first customer drive off the forecourt in their new car through the Clean Air Zone Vehicle Scrappage and Travel Scheme. Peter really couldn’t have been happier. His Skoda Fabia is not only fully Clean Air Zone compliant ahead of June 1st but offers a level of comfort, reliability and low running costs that he didn’t enjoy previously, and which I am sure he will appreciate in the coming weeks and months.”