Under rules coming into force in 15 months, vehicles that have reached the end of their useful lives are to be recycled and disposed of in an environmentally favourable manner - and motorists will not foot the bill.
Currently most vehicles that have reached the end of their useful lives are disposed of in breakers yards around the country. Others are dumped by the roadside or found burnt out. A few find their way into the hands of youths who drive them to destruction, often on forestry roads or private land.
Across the EU it's estimated that as much as 7 per cent of the nine million end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) are abandoned, causing environmental damage as well as considerable clean-up costs.
Data from Britain suggests this figure could be even higher. In 2000, 23 per cent of ELVs - or 350,000 cars - were found abandoned in Britain. If this percentage were applied in Ireland, the number here would reach 30,000 a year.
Now, in a move that has been demanded by the EU, Ireland is to set up a network of approved dismantling centres which will become operational when a new ELV directive comes into force by the start of 2007 at the latest. It was originally planned that the directive would come into force here in January 2003, but the infrastructure was not in place.
The directive follows the Waste Electrical Equipment Directive, which saw many electrical shops add the cost of disposing of used goods to the price of new goods. However, the motor industry here has said no extra cost will be added to new car prices to pay for eventual disposal.
The industry view is that money can be made in ELV disposal. "We believe there is a profit to be made in dismantling cars, especially considering the rise in metal prices in recent years," says Cyril McHugh, chief executive of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI).
From January 2007, it's expected that the new centres will deal with an estimated 120,000 ELVs each year. Under the new legislation, these vehicles will be classified as hazardous waste and must be dismantled in licensed centres.
Many parts of a modern car can be recycled. The EU has set a target that by January 1, 2006, the re-use and recovery of the components of ELVs will be increased to minimum of 85 per cent, and by 2015 to a minimum of 95 per cent. The new centres will also correctly dispose of the dangerous residues and liquids found in cars.
However, there is still concern that, unless an incentive is offered, some motorists will continue to abandon old cars.
The AA's Conor Faughnan said that motorists must be encouraged to dispose of ELVs responsibly by taking them to the new centres. "A financial incentive of €200 would encourage motorists to dispose of their vehicles properly," he said. "We have suggested to the Department of Transport that part of road tax income be set aside throughout the life of a car for this purpose.
"Look at how well this policy works with supermarket trolleys - as soon as there is a financial incentive to return them, people will. The same principle can be applied to ELVs."
In Denmark, motorists pay an annual €12 levy, some of which is repaid when a car is brought in for dismantling. In the Netherlands however, a levy is paid when a new car is bought, to pay for eventual disposal.
McHugh feels it's unlikely the Government will answer the AA's call. "We expect the incentive to bring ELVs to the new centres will be the fact that the last owner must account for the car and will be liable for road tax until they can prove the car has been disposed of correctly."
Under the directive, Ireland will see the introduction of certificates of destruction. These will be issued for cars that have been disposed of correctly at the authorised centres.