Certain SUV owners could be affected by new car tax rates and higher parking fees as part of a major rules change being proposed by politicians. London Assembly members are calling for “sensible steps” to be taken against SUVs with higher charges up for consideration.
Some of the Proposals include changing Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) car tax fees for certain road users. Meanwhile, Assembly members have also called on Mayor of London Sadiq Kan to urge councils to consider higher parking fees for certain vehicles. There are around 2.6million registered vehicles in London meaning at least thousands of motorists have the keys to SUVs.
The motion was first proposed by Elly Baker, a Labour London Assembly member who suggested the move was needed to keep “streets safe”.
Elly said: “(SUVs) greater size, weight, and higher bonnets put vulnerable road users at greater risk, reduce available parking spaces, and cause more wear and tear on our roads.
“It’s time we took sensible steps to manage the impact of oversized cars and ensure our streets remain safe and accessible.”
Last year, residents in Paris voted to introduce a new parking tariff on SUVs with motorists now paying three times more to stop in the city than smaller vehicles.
The move means SUV owners are paying €18 an hour to leave their vehicles compared to the previous €6 fee.
Meanwhile, those parking up on the outskirts of the city now pay €12 to stop their SUV instead of €4.
No fees for any London-based charge have been unveiled but it could follow a similar system in a blow for owners.
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London stressed their focus was on making roads safer but didn’t categorically rule out an SUV increase.
They explained: “The mayor, Transport for London and borough partners are working to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on our roads, by expanding the cycle network, making road crossings and junctions safer, reducing speed limits on our roads, and making larger vehicles like HGVs and buses safer.
“This year the mayor will be refreshing his Vision Zero action plan, external to restate his commitment to reducing road danger and responding to new and emerging risks on our roads.”