THE ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE HISTORIC AND CLASSIC MOTOR INDUSTRY IN THE UK

PLEASE NOTE AND RESPECT THE EMBARGO 00:05am 15 TH DECEMBER 2020 © Centre for Economics and Business Research Employment is spread across the UK, helping in areas of low economic growth. London represents just 5% of its activity with the Midlands and East Anglia both double that. Craftspeople and conservation specialists prevail with a healthy line of apprentices in training to help keep the future of industry safe. Contrary to perception, the industry emits miniscule carbon by comparison to the weight of other industry emissions. Heritage vehicles cover very low mileages through limited use whilst the industry as a whole generates 85% less emissions than compared to spending the same money on a typical basket of goods. Classic cars are only driven an average of 1,200 miles a year. The average user of a classic car produces 563 kg of CO 2 equivalent emissions in a year. This is still too much and the industry is working to bring it down. But it needs to be seen in context. It is around half the emissions from using a computer or a mobile phone or from going on a week’s holiday in the Mediterranean. And it is a sixth of the impact of using a modern ICE car regularly or taking a return flight to the Far East. The average £1,000 spent on using classic cars and related industries creates 80 kg of CO 2 equivalent emissions, after taking all the inputs into account. This compares with 537 kg of CO 2 emissions that would result from an average £1,000 of consumer expenditure, measured the same way. 0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 4,000 Greenhouse gas emissions per £1,000 spent on various activities (kg CO 2 equivalent) High impact per £ Medium impact per £ Low impact per £ Average impact per £