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Africa is one of the most popular and primary destinations for used cars. United States, Japan, and the European Union shipped almost 14 million used cars, globally between 2015 and 2018. 40% of these on an approx. arrived in Africa. In Low and Medium income countries, used cars- are efficiently utilized as taxis and cater to much of the social mobility needs.
Thereby advancing the accessibility to education, employment, and healthcare services and addressing additional mobility constraints. Citizens tend to favor used cars due to their affordable nature- making them the best alternative to a properly-funded and well-maintained public transportation system. The provision of essential mobility, the increased roadways, inadequacy in public transportation infrastructure, and an element of social reputation associated with ownership of an automobile, further boost the import of used cars.
Trade-offs of imported cars
But what seems to go unnoticed is that almost half of these imported used cars fail to meet the fuel efficiency, safety criteria, and exhaust emissions standards set by the countries of origin themselves. Despite bringing an evident trade gain for the exporting countries, the invisible and unfavourable costs incurred by the importing countries are becoming more ostensible. Carbon emissions are increasing at an alarming rate in these countries, simultaneously posing a threat of respiratory illnesses also. The air quality control standards are estimated to be lagging by almost twenty years compared to their importing partners. Updated emission standards can effectively control the fuel emissions from trucks, buses, vehicles, and other automobiles by up to almost 99%.
It also stands as the responsibility of the exporting nations to withdraw trade in the goods, which are rejected by the majority of the importing countries. At the same time, it would be impossible for the importing nations to ban vehicles that are prime drivers of their day-to-day economic demands. A sustainable mobility approach needs to be brought into the picture in both the developing and the developed trading nations, keeping the fact at standby that trade in used cars allows for vehicles to be utilized for their fullest life. The suitable solution to address this problem in both types of countries would be to encourage the usage of electric vehicles.
Balancing the country demands with sustainability goals
Apart from industrial pollutants, road transport adds up to almost 16% of the total global emissions, and electric vehicles are the perfect sustainable replacement here. Many automobile giants have been harnessing this opportunity for manufacturing EVs with improvised range, models, and performance. This brings the industry much closer to achieving Net Zero Emissions Goal by the year 2050. Despite many challenges that are overpouring with the sale of EVs, such as the availability of appropriate charging infrastructure, the figure predicted was almost 300 million EVs by 2030. Europe and the United States are among the nations that recorded plummeting sales and reduced usage of fossil fuels by close to 0.4 million barrels per day.
Ways to revive the public transport
It is said to be assumed, that this novel fuel-saving technology would facilitate developed countries in reducing emissions by almost half. Similar technology in emerging nations would help them better save limited fuel resources and promote cost-effective public transport, eventually reducing the dependency on used cars. A favorable environment would be established with- adequate investment in a public road transportation system, bus stations, a good database for passengers, tax concession for manufacturing, usage of EVs, and finally public transport vehicles such as buses and minivans which can both reduce costs and emissions. Countries need to effectively transform their transportation systems to meet both urban demands as-well-as sustainability goals.
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