“r.itemList.length” “this.config.text.ariaShown”
“This.config.text.ariaFermé”
Stay informed at a glance with top 10 stories
By Inti Landauro and Aida Pelaez-Fernandez
MADRID / GDANSK (Reuters) – Fearing contracting the coronavirus while feeling the shred of recession, Spaniards are avoiding public transport and resorting to old and reasonable cars, according to industry data, in a trend that threatens more poisonous emissions.
Car sales over the age of 20 increased by 31% year-on-year in July and August to nearly 44,000 cars, according to the knowledge of the Institute for Automotive Studies.
The average value of these purchases is around 1400 euros ($1655.36), said the Sumauto vehicle sales portal, with some cars reaching 500 euros.
While antique sales increased, sales of new vehicles increased by a modest 1.1% year-on-year in July and fell by 10% in August.
At the same time, public maritime traffic fell by 40% during the summer compared to the same time last year, Sumauto added, bringing out the Association of Public Transport Operators.
As the economy is expected to contract by at least 9% in 2020 and unemployment is expected to emerge in August after a brief recovery in July, many Spaniards will save money.
But increased use of old cars can be negative for the environment and respiratory health.
“Old cars, even new ones, were more infected because environmental regulations were much less stringent 15 or 20 years ago,” said Adrián Fernández, shipping expert at Greenpeace Spain.After many years on the road, those cars are now even more polluting.Added.
“This is a step back in air quality.These negative consequences for respiratory diseases, of which COVID-19 is a part.”
Spain has recorded 488,513 cases of viruses, more than any other Western European country, and is experiencing a wave for now.
The fitness ministry reported 3,607 new cases on Thursday, facing a peak of around 10,000 last Friday.He also reported thirteen other deaths, bringing the total number of deaths to 29,234.
(Report via Aida Pelaez-Fernandez and Inti Landauro; Editing through Nathan Allen and Andrew Cawthorne)