A recent report by the United Nations warns millions of old and used cars exported from the European Union, Japan, and the United States to developing countries is fuelling air pollution. Between 2015 and 2018, 9 million used vehicles are exported from the above mentioned places. The final destination being low and middle income countries and more than half in Africa, says the UN Environment Programme.

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The UNEP calls for tightening the rules for exporting and importing old, polluting vehicles as the major source of emissions leading pollution in the coming decades are the developing countries. UNEP's executive director, Inger Andersen said,"Developed countries must stop exporting vehicles that fail environment and safety inspections and are no longer considered roadworthy in their own countries while importing countries should introduce stronger quality standards". 

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The average age of vehicles to be exported was 18 years, found an agency investigation by the Dutch authorities. The vehicles traveled more than  200,000 km (125,000 miles) on their odometers on average, and catalytic converters that reduce toxic gases from the exhaust is missing in many cars. The rules regarding the import of used vehicles are weak in 146 countries and some had no pollution standards, says UNEP. 

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