Old vehicle fleets in Europe pose safety and climate risks; solutions require policy shifts beyond just car replacement.
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Greece has one of the oldest fleets of private vehicles in the European Union, with passenger cars averaging nearly 18 years old, and commercial vehicles being even older. This aging fleet raises concerns regarding road safety, fuel consumption, maintenance costs, and achieving climate goals. The lack of sufficient incentives for vehicle renewal, combined with the high cost of new, especially electric, models, creates a paradox in transitioning to cleaner transport as replacement remains financially inaccessible to many citizens and professionals. While leasing is becoming the primary method of fleet renewal in Greece, government action has been minimal, though some measures like social leasing are being introduced. Experts suggest that while vehicle replacement is necessary, it is not sufficient; the core issue is also the excessive concentration of traffic in limited road space. Solutions require a combination of policies, including improving public transport and urban planning to reduce the need for private car use. In contrast, other EU countries like Lithuania and Spain are implementing or considering legislative measures with financial incentives to promote low-emission vehicles and phase out older cars, while Bulgaria has the oldest fleet but offers limited direct subsidies to individuals.
