A significant percentage of the cars that are taken out of circulation in European markets due to their high levels of pollution end up in Nigeria and other African countries where they circulate without any restrictions. The European Union, like other large countries, is advancing towards the electrification of its vehicles and it has already been agreed that in 2035 the sale of new cars with internal combustion engines will be prohibited, which is a drastic decision as part of the actions to stop global warming.
Millions of old cars that are out of emission standards are not dismantled, but instead are exported to Africa where they have a long and highly polluting second life. Like the case of a Benin inhabitant, who bought a Toyota Matrix that had already traveled the equivalent of four times around the world and that due to its condition, it would never pass a mechanical inspection in Europe or another developed market.
Africa is the main destination for used vehicles in the world. More than a quarter of the second-hand cars that were exported between 2015 and 2020, some 5.6 million, ended up on this continent. The cars come mainly from Europe and Japan, South Korea and the United States. Often these are very old and polluting models. Benin is one of the top five importers of used vehicles in Africa. This West African country has only 11 million people, but it is the gateway to the markets of Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad and its huge neighbor Nigeria, the most populous nation on the continent.
Vehicles damaged or without a catalytic converter
A report by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) indicated that most vehicles exported to developing countries are old, polluting, inefficient, potentially dangerous and increasing carbon emissions. Some of the damaged vehicles had their catalyst removed, an engine component that reduces the emission of non-carbonated toxic gases such as nitrogen oxide. To filter these polluting gases, the catalysts use metals such as gold, silver, rhodium and platinum and their value can exceed 100 dollars, sometimes they are removed and sold without this before exporting it to Africa.
