France to hit combustion cars with higher parking fees

Combustion cars heavier than 1600kg and EVs exceeding 2000kg will soon cop triple-cost parking fees in Paris.

In an effort to counter the horde of SUVs cluttering the streets of Paris, residents have voted to introduce a new parking fee scheme. Petrol, diesel and hybrid cars in excess of 1600kg, and EVs exceeding 2 tonnes, will be stung by the new rules.

Charges of AU$30 per hour to park in the city centre, and $20 for city-limits parking will be applied to cars exceeding the dictated weight limits.

Speaking with The Guardian, Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo endorsed [↗] the 54.6% yes vote, declaring the higher fees “a form of social justice”.

“This is about very expensive cars, driven by people who today have not yet made the changes to their behaviour that have to be made [in response to climate change]," Hidalgo said.

This concept is looking attractive to other major cities, with London mayor Sadiq Khan considering "stealing" this surcharge for London.

"I am a firm believer in stealing good policies … If other cities are doing stuff that works, we will copy them," Khan told The Guardian.

David Belliard, deputy mayor of Paris, feels the increased tariffs “will be directed at the richest people” – however, exceptions will be made for commercial vehicles, including taxis. People living with disabilities will also be spared, as specialty accessibility vehicles will often exceed the weight limit.