The report aims at increasing the understanding of factors that determine the product life of cars, and of investigating whether it would be useful to introduce policies to influence this. None of the policy proposals could be designed in a final form. For each of them, more detailed work, in which the institutions concerned should be involved, is needed before implementation. The policies seem likely to have a favourable cost/benefit ratio. Only small or no benefits are to be expected in the areas of energy, raw materials, or pollution, but lengthening car life would probably give economic gains to the Dutch economy of nearly 1% of GNP or 2% of all imports. Employment would probably increase, as imports are partly replaced by extra repair and maintenance. In addition to the 14 proposals, the study shows some pronounced and quite astonishing gaps in our knowledge, especially concerning corrosion prevention, diagnosis and repair, and concerning the discarding of cars. Twelve proposals are made for further research, directed to specific points which would have direct benefits for car owners and give firmer ground for yet further policy initiatives. Part ii of this report gives the background information on which the conclusions are based. In chapter 6, the place of the car in Netherlands society is presented. Energy, raw materials, pollution, economic and other aspects are analysed, as are present causes of car life. Major gaps in our knowledge are still evident.
Abstract