Electric vehicle drivers have been offered free parking while they charge near Heathrow Airport, just as petrol and diesel motorists are hit with rising costs at the airport.
Drivers of EVs, using charging points at the Hilton Heathrow Terminal 5 car park, can now park for free for up to 40 minutes while topping up their batteries, in a move designed to make EV travel cheaper and easier.
Charging firm Roam, which operates ultra-rapid chargers at the Poyle Road site, has introduced the perk alongside a temporary price cut on electricity.
Throughout April, drivers will pay 59p per kilowatt hour, a 7p discount on the usual rate, adding to the savings for electric motorists passing through the Heathrow area.
Experts explained that the changes to the parking rules were about removing barriers for drivers who need a quick charge.
James Randall, chief executive of Roam, said: "Making EV charging simple and accessible is central to our purpose.
"By providing free parking for the first 40 minutes at Hilton Heathrow Terminal 5, we're removing a cost barrier for drivers who need a quick charge while travelling or stopping nearby."
As part of the changes, drivers do not need to register with the hotel to use the chargers, as long as they leave within the 40-minute window.
The charging discount hopes to increase the uptake of EVs
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The move aims to improve short stops for EVs near the airport, a sharp contrast to the experience now facing petrol and diesel drivers.
As of January 1, the terminal drop-off fee at Heathrow rose from £6 to £7, with a strict 10-minute maximum stay introduced at the same time.
The fee applies every time a vehicle enters a drop-off zone, meaning taxis and private hire drivers must pay on each visit.
A Heathrow spokesperson defended the increase, saying: "This change brings Heathrow's Terminal Drop-Off Charge in line with other major UK airports and plays a key role in our sustainability strategy.
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From January 1 this year, drivers began being charged £7 for drop-off fees at the airport
| PA"It helps reduce congestion, encourages public transport use, and ensures our forecourts are used for their intended purpose."
Officials also pointed out that 95 per cent of drop-offs take less than 10 minutes and said free options remain available at park and ride sites.
Clive Wratten, chief executive of the Business Travel Association, said: "Business travellers are being penalised the moment they arrive at the airport. There's next to no justification for this.
"These charges do nothing to improve the passenger experience or reliability of access to Heathrow. All it does is simply raise costs for individuals and businesses already facing higher travel taxes and regional connectivity challenges."
Heathrow is the busiest airport in the UK | HEATHROW EXPRESSThe London Cab Ranks Committee has warned that black cab fares are set to rise from April as drivers pass on the extra costs.
Around 83.9 million passengers travelled through Heathrow last year, making it the UK's busiest airport, and meaning millions could feel the impact of the higher charges.
Some drivers are exempt, including Blue Badge holders, who do not have to pay the fee and are not subject to the 10-minute limit.