Plymouth Parking Fees Anger Drivers of Petrol and Diesel Vehicles

People in Plymouth shared opinions about new parking fees. Plymouth might charge petrol and diesel car owners more to park. The city council wants to fight climate change this way. They are thinking about “emissions-based vehicle charging”. Other cities like Reading use similar systems.

Plymouth’s Net Zero Action Plan includes these charges. Councillors will discuss the plan very soon. They will explore the tariff options around 2025/26. This could promote greener transport and fund sustainable projects, too.

Some cities charge higher parking fees for high-emission cars. Reading, for example, taxes these cars more. They use a “sliding scale” for parking fees, where the fees depend on the car’s emissions rating.

One councillor said the plan is “bold” and thinks it will help reach Net Zero goals. However, some people disagree within the city. They shared their feelings on PlymouthLive.

One person thinks shops will close because of the fees. Another asks about taxing cruise ships. Someone else believes it will hurt the city center because online shopping is often easier and cheaper.

Another commenter calls it “ULEZ under a different name.” Motorists always pay for council issues, they stated. Someone else says it’s a plan to “kill a city centre” and do not believe it’s about Net Zero.

One person worries about affording a car at all. Another thought electric cars are not environmentally superior. Manufacturing causes ecological harm, they mentioned, citing lithium mining as an example.

Someone else says it will hurt poorer people. Newer electric cars will get cheaper parking. Older, cheaper cars will get stuck with fees, they observe. The council seems to hurt people, not help.

One person wished for better bus services and wants reliable buses managed by one company. The council chooses ideology instead of listening to taxpayers, they allege.