Residents of Paris have voted to triple parking costs for SUV owners in a bid to tackle emissions and crack down on drivers of heavy, large and polluting cars.
Socialist Mayor Anne Hidalgo said Parisians had made a “clear choice”, adding that “other cities will follow” following the referendum on Sunday, February 4.
While the turnout was just 5.7 per cent, a total of 54.6 per cent of people living in the French capital voted in favour of the new parking measures for drivers.
Once the new rules are introduced, petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles heavier than 1.6 tonnes and electric vehicles weighing more than two tonnes will have to pay more.
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Drivers could face costs of almost £200 to park a heavy vehicle for six hours
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An SUV or 4x4 will have to pay €18 (£15) an hour in the centre of Paris and €12 (£10) an hour in the rest of the city – or €225 (£192) for six hours, compared to just €75 (£64) currently.
People living or working in Paris will be exempt, as well as taxi drivers, tradespeople, health workers and people with disabilities.
The vote was criticised by the motoring organisations, including 40 millions d'automobilistes, who slammed the measures, saying it had been introduced by the “ultra-urban and anti-car minority”.
Leo Murray, co-director of climate charity Possible, commented on the results of the referendum, saying it sent a “clear message” to drivers of larger vehicles.
He said: “It is fantastic to see the people of Paris voting to increase parking charges for large and oversized cars, a great first step in reversing the recent trend towards autobesity and reducing our overall reliance on cars in cities.
“This landmark referendum is the latest triumph in Paris’ ongoing mission to tackle its problems with air pollution, congestion and motor traffic dominance, and is likely to inspire cities around the world to follow suit.
“What Paris needs next is a tobacco-style ban on advertising the largest and most polluting cars to passengers on its public transport network, which would send a clear message that SUVs have no place in our cities.”
This referendum follows a previous vote on the future of electric scooters in the French capital, which saw almost 90 per cent of Parisians vote to ban the vehicles.
Environmental group Clean Cities called on the Mayor of Paris to ensure the new parking charges were introduced as soon as possible.
It added that authorities should also roll out exemptions for low-income households and large families, as is the case in the French city of Lyon.
Jens Mueller, Deputy Director of Clean Cities, says: "Today’s vote is an important message from Parisians that monster SUVs are simply incompatible with urban life.
“Paris has already leapfrogged towards a city where people can easily walk, cycle and enjoy liveable neighbourhoods. Today’s vote takes Paris even closer to the vision of a truly people-centred city.
“Cities across Europe will hopefully be inspired to follow the example of the French capital.”
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Mayor Anne Hidalgo suggested that other cities would follow the lead of Paris
REUTERS
Tony Renucci, director of French clean air group Respire, a local partner of the Clean Cities coalition, said: “The result of the vote is a victory for Parisians’ quality of life.
“By making SUVs pay for the cost and nuisance they cause, Paris is sending a signal that these monsters on wheels are not welcome on our streets.
“It’s also excellent news for air quality, road safety and rebalancing public space in cities”.