We renewed our resident's parking permit last weekend. Since August last year the cost of a permit has been based on our car’s estimated level of CO2 emissions. This is simplier to administer than you migh think. The first time you register a car in the UK it’s given a grams of CO2 per kilometer (g/km) rating. The council uses this universal rating to calculate your permit cost. Low emission vehicles pay less, higher emission vehicles pay more.
Our SAAB currently sits in the second highest of four tariff bands. As a result, our parking permit costs 50% more than that of a car in the lowest band. It's effectively a carbon tax on car owners residing in the council district. This year we paid £105. Ouch!
Emissons-based charging seems to be all the rage in London. The Greater London Authority recently introduced emission-based charges for large diesel vehicles using its roads. Heavy diesel-engined vehicles driven within the city’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ) must now meet specific emissions standards. Those that do not are required to pay for each day they drive within the zone. Those that do can drive in the zone for free. Who says fresh air costs nothing?
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1 comment:
seems a bit unfair, especially when you hardly ever use the car.
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