As part of a “Climate Plan” the French government has launched a scrappage scheme for older vehicles to encourage motorists to trade up to newer cleaner replacements.

Your old car or van must have been registered before 1997 for petrol vehicles, and before 2001 for diesel vehicles … so probably not taking too many BR readers' cars off the road

The vehicle you trade in must be registered in France, and have been owned by you for at least one year. The amount you might be paid varies depending on the household’s financial situation, with up to €1,000 available for taxed households and €2,000 for those that do not pay tax … not an irresistible incentive I imagine.

The money received through the scheme must then be used to buy or rent a new or recently-second-hand electric vehicle, or one using petrol or diesel, which emits less than 130g CO²/km, classified as Crit’air 1 or 2

… my 3 year old Euro 5 Toyota diesel is classified as Crit’air 2, so its not exactly going to take all diesels off the streets.