Parisians vote for hiking parking charges for SUVs in city referendum

For years, the authorities in Paris have been discouraging motorists from driving into the city using various methods. A recent move was taken against SUV drivers when, during last Sunday's referendum, 54.5% of the voters supported increasing parking charges for these vehicles, with 45.5% opposing. Out of the 1.3 million residents entitled to vote in the referendum, a mere 5.7% participated. As voting was solely in person, this decision represents the will of roughly 40,385 people in a city with a population of 2.1 million.

As the referendum results are legally binding, SUV drivers must anticipate a price hike starting September 1st this year. They will be required to pay 18 euros instead of 6 euros for the first hour of parking in downtown Paris. The rate progresses as parking extends: for instance, parking for six hours will spike from 75 to 225 euros. The steep increase isn't a mistake. City administrators will charge nearly a thousand zlotys for six hours of parking in an unprotected street space. The rate hike in neighbouring districts will be from 4 to 12 euros per hour for SUV parking.

The price hike will apply to all SUVs, although variations will vary depending on the drive type and car's weight. The threshold for combustion engines and plug-in hybrids is set at 1.6 tonnes, while electric vehicles will see a price hike from a weight point of two tonnes. In practical terms, the increase will affect even compact electric SUVs or family plug-in hybrids. Below are some examples of cars likely to suffer the consequences of the new rules.

Only visiting drivers, however, will face these higher parking charges. The charges will not apply to SUV owners residing in areas with paid parking, care services, and tradespeople such as plumbers, electricians, or repair service workers.

The authorities in Paris are justifying these measures as a means to improve the quality of life in the city. According to the city council, SUVs contribute to higher levels of air pollution, occupy more public space and pose a greater risk in road traffic. Paris's mayor for the last decade, Anne Hidalgo, stated: "Parisians are pioneers; this movement will intensify, and other cities will undoubtedly follow."

Authorities in Lyon, Bordeaux and Grenoble already have similar plans in place. The French car club, 40 Million d’Automobilistes, opposes this trend of limiting car choice and has submitted a petition on behalf of its members against introducing higher parking charges in Paris before the referendum.