The Impact of Exporting Used Cars from Wealthier Nations to Developing Countries in Africa

Are you curious about what happens to used cars from places like Europe, Japan, and the U.S. once they reach the end of their lifespan? Well, many of these vehicles are exported to countries in Africa, where they are given a second lease on life.

In a recent episode of The Conversation Weekly, experts discussed the impact of exporting used cars to developing nations. Paul Bledsoe, an adjunct professorial lecturer at the Center for Environmental Policy at American University, highlighted the potential increase in pollution as electric vehicles become more prevalent in richer countries. Without proper policies in place, developing nations could see a surge in pollution from old combustion-engine vehicles.

Festival Godwin Boateng, a research fellow at Columbia University, emphasized the importance of used cars in providing transportation opportunities in countries like Ghana. However, he also pointed out that many of these vehicles are over 15 years old and highly polluting. In response, Ghana passed a law in 2020 to restrict the import of cars older than 10 years.

While exporting used cars can provide vital access to transportation for many people in developing nations, it also raises concerns about pollution and passenger safety. As electric vehicles become more popular in Western markets, the issue of exporting old cars to countries in Africa and Latin America is likely to become more relevant.

To learn more about the impact of old cars on developing nations and the efforts to address the associated challenges, listen to the full episode of The Conversation Weekly. Stay informed about global issues and subscribe to The Conversation’s free daily email for more insightful content.

This blog post was based on an article from The Conversation, republished under a Creative Commons license. For the original article and more information, visit The Conversation website.