EV DRIVERS have complained of “highway robbery” over the introduction of a “grossly unfair” new rule that could see them charged more to park.
It’s not often that electric cars and gas-guzzling 4x4s are lumped in together, but local authorities are reported to be considering slapping both with hefty tariffs for an unexpected reason.
GettyEV drivers face ‘grossly unfair’ spikes in parking charges[/caption]
It all comes down to their size and weight, meaning that they take up more space and inflict more damage on the roads.
The average weight of an EV is about two tonnes, 400kg more than the average petrol or diesel car, according to Sustainability By Numbers.
SUVs are even heavier, with CarsGuide putting the average at 2.5 tonnes.
Islington Council in North London has already imposed the new levies, with permits clocking in at about £100 a year for EVs with a 30kWh battery.
Models with a heavier 90kWh, which are often those with more power or higher ranges, could be shelling out up to £230 annually.
Lambeth Council, in the south of the city, is also reported to be considering new charges, with the Daily Mail saying that these are “likely” to be introduced.
And there was a huge blow to EV owners in Westminster after the Labour-run council there forced them to pay for parking for the first time.
Ian Taylor of the Alliance of British Drivers, slammed the increased fees as “grossly unfair”.
He added: “The bottom line is stinging [drivers] for more money.
“It gives a whole new meaning to the expression ‘highway robbery’.”
It comes amid concerns that many new motors are too large for standard parking spaces, with over 150 models dubbed “autobese”.
Richard Hebditch, UK Director from the campaign group Transport and Environment, said: “Trying to accommodate ever bigger vehicles is a real challenge.
“There’s no limit on how wide cars can get as long as they don’t get wider than a limit based on HGV sizes [currently 255cm].”
He suggested that potential solutions to the problem include higher taxes based on vehicle size and a width limit imposed on manufacturers.
A Lambeth Council spokesperson said: “Charging by weight is something we are interested in looking at, but the council is not close to making any decisions on this.
“We are currently focussed on our Kerbside Strategy which aims to tackle poor air quality, cut road danger, reduce health inequalities and make Lambeth’s neighbourhoods fit for the future.”
And Councillor Rowena Champion, Islington Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Air Quality, and Transport, added: “We firmly believe that, in order to create a more equal future for Islington, we must make our borough a greener place for all.
“The changes that we’ve already made, such as introducing low-traffic neighbourhoods, have had a positive impact, contributing to borough-wide improvements in air quality.
“We’ve also made significant changes to our parking system, to help us move towards net-zero carbon, to simplify the old system, and to introduce emission-based charging for electric vehicles.
“The changes ensure that permit prices more accurately reflect the pollution that motor vehicles create and encourage local people, where possible, to switch to more sustainable forms of transport.”
Meanwhile, there was some good news for EV lovers, with a new report suggesting that drivers could save up to £700 a year by making the switch to all-electric.