Used cars being exported from a clean, developed country to a polluted, developing country.

The Hidden Climate Cost of Used Car Exports: Are We Offshoring Our Emissions?

Samir D’Costa in Climate & Environment December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A new study reveals the surprising environmental impact of exporting used vehicles, raising questions about climate responsibility and global equity."

In the fight against climate change, many policies focus on reducing emissions from transportation. But what if some of those efforts are undermined by the international movement of used vehicles? A recent study sheds light on this often-overlooked aspect, revealing how exporting used cars can shift the environmental burden to other countries.

The research, focusing on used vehicles exported from Great Britain, a major player in the global used car market, quantifies the emissions generated by these vehicles. It uncovers a troubling trend: many exported vehicles fail to meet roadworthiness standards and, even under the most optimistic scenarios, produce significantly more emissions than if they were scrapped or kept on the road in the UK.

This raises critical questions about climate responsibility and environmental justice. Are wealthier nations simply offshoring their emissions by sending their older, more polluting vehicles to lower-income countries? And what are the implications for global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality?

The Shocking Truth About Used Vehicle Emissions

Used cars being exported from a clean, developed country to a polluted, developing country.

Transport is a leading contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for a substantial portion of the total in developed countries. Alongside carbon dioxide (CO2), vehicles also emit harmful air pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx), which contribute to respiratory problems and premature deaths. While stricter emission standards have helped to reduce pollution in many wealthier nations, the story is different in lower-middle income countries (LMICs).

Many LMICs rely on unregulated trade for their vehicle supply, often importing used cars from countries with stricter environmental regulations. As of 2020, a significant number of countries receiving used vehicles lacked any emission standards, while only a handful had what could be considered 'very good' regulations. This creates a loophole where older, more polluting vehicles that would be deemed unfit for use in wealthier nations end up on the roads of LMICs.

Higher Emissions: Exported cars generate at least 13% more CO2 per kilometer than cars scrapped in the UK.
Air Pollution: Exported cars emit significantly more NOx than scrapped cars, contributing to air quality issues.
Fuel Inefficiency: Exported vehicles have larger engine capacities and worse fuel efficiency compared to those driven or scrapped in the UK.
Failed Standards: A large percentage of exported diesel vehicles would fail current European emission standards.

The study highlights that Great Britain consistently scraps lower-emission vehicles while exporting higher-emission ones. This trend is remarkably uniform across almost every British postcode region, suggesting a systemic issue rather than isolated cases. The data indicates that exported vehicles are likely to generate more pollution per kilometer, regardless of their destination, due to their inherent characteristics: larger engine capacities and lower operating efficiencies, despite often being younger than scrapped vehicles.

A Call for International Action

The findings of this study underscore the urgent need for international cooperation to address the environmental consequences of used vehicle exports. Wealthier nations must take responsibility for the emissions generated by their older vehicles, even after they've been exported. Implementing stricter standards for exported vehicles, preventing the removal of emission-reduction devices, and redirecting cleaner vehicles from the scrapyard to the export market are crucial steps in mitigating this problem. By raising export standards to match their own internal regulations, high-emitting countries can significantly reduce global emissions and promote environmental justice.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1038/s41558-024-01943-1,

Title: Offshoring Emissions Through Used Vehicle Exports

Subject: econ.gn physics.soc-ph q-fin.ec

Authors: S. J. Newman, K. Schulte, M. M. Morellini, C. Rahal, D. Leasure

Published: 21-02-2024

Everything You Need To Know

What is the main environmental concern regarding the export of used vehicles?

The primary environmental concern centers on the increased emissions generated by exported used vehicles. These vehicles, particularly those exported from Great Britain, often fail to meet roadworthiness standards and produce significantly more emissions than if they were scrapped or kept on the road within the UK. The research reveals that these exported vehicles contribute to higher CO2 emissions, increased NOx emissions, and are generally less fuel-efficient, leading to a greater environmental impact, especially in lower-middle income countries (LMICs).

How do used vehicle exports from Great Britain affect lower-middle income countries (LMICs)?

Used vehicles exported from Great Britain significantly impact LMICs by shifting the environmental burden to these nations. Many LMICs rely on unregulated trade for their vehicle supply, importing used cars that do not meet the environmental standards of countries like Great Britain. Consequently, LMICs face increased air pollution from higher NOx emissions, contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, and experience poorer air quality because the exported vehicles often have larger engine capacities and worse fuel efficiency. This creates a situation where LMICs bear the brunt of pollution from vehicles that would be unfit for use in wealthier nations.

What are the key differences in emissions and efficiency between exported vehicles and those scrapped in the UK?

The study highlights several key differences. Exported cars generate at least 13% more CO2 per kilometer compared to cars scrapped in the UK. They also emit significantly more NOx, contributing to air quality issues. Furthermore, exported vehicles typically have larger engine capacities and worse fuel efficiency than those driven or scrapped in the UK. A large percentage of exported diesel vehicles would also fail current European emission standards. These factors collectively indicate that exported vehicles contribute substantially more to environmental pollution compared to vehicles handled domestically.

What actions are needed to address the environmental consequences of used vehicle exports?

To address the environmental issues, international cooperation is crucial. Wealthier nations like Great Britain must take responsibility for the emissions generated by their older vehicles, even after they are exported. Key actions include implementing stricter standards for exported vehicles to align with internal regulations. Preventing the removal of emission-reduction devices from vehicles before export is also essential. Another recommendation is to redirect cleaner vehicles from the scrapyard to the export market. These measures would reduce global emissions and promote environmental justice by mitigating the environmental burden on LMICs.

Why is the trend of exporting higher-emission vehicles from Great Britain considered a systemic issue?

The trend of exporting higher-emission vehicles from Great Britain is considered a systemic issue because it is remarkably uniform across almost every British postcode region. This consistency suggests that the practice is not limited to isolated cases, but is a widespread pattern. The data indicates that exported vehicles are likely to generate more pollution per kilometer, regardless of their destination, due to their inherent characteristics of larger engine capacities and lower operating efficiencies. This systemic nature highlights the need for policy and regulatory changes to address the root causes of this environmental problem, rather than focusing on individual instances.