As of October 1, Paris has implemented a new parking tariff targeting heavy vehicles, including SUVs and large electric cars. The new rule, dubbed the ‘SUV tariff,’ applies to visitor vehicles weighing over 1.6 tonnes for combustion and hybrid models, and over two tonnes for electric vehicles, with fees rising sharply in both the city center and suburbs.
The Paris city government’s initiative aims to discourage the use of large vehicles in urban areas. Parking fees for these heavier vehicles have increased significantly—from €6 to €18 per hour in central Paris and from €4 to €12 per hour in the suburbs.
Residents, tradespeople, and care services are exempt from the new fees, which only apply to visitors. The system determines vehicle weight by scanning license plates linked to model data.
The decision to implement this pricing structure was made earlier this year, with 54.55% of voters in a local referendum approving the measure. Despite a low turnout of just 5.7% of registered voters, the proposal was passed.
“We’re proud of having posed an eminently environmental question at a time the environment is presented as the source of all evil,” said Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo in February, highlighting the city’s long-standing efforts to reduce car dependency through higher parking fees, expanded cycling paths, and restrictions on diesel vehicles.
Source: paris.fr
