Sadiq Khan 'monitoring' Paris SUV parking charge scheme hailed by London green campaigners

Green campaigners in London have welcomed Paris’s decision to triple parking charges for some SUV cars.

Some 54.5% of Parisians voted to increase the price of parking passes for cars from outside the city weighing more than 1.6 tonnes.

The cost of parking an SUV for an hour for non-residents will rise to 18 euros (£15.40), while six hours will cost 225 euros (£192).

The vote was called by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, who has argued that SUVs are dangerous and bad for the environment.

While the mayor of London said City Hall does not have the powers to introduce a similar measure, Paris's move has been welcomed by London campaign groups.

The London Cycling Campaign said it was “delighted” for the people of Paris saying SUV’s increase damage to roads.

In a statement on social media the group said: “We're delighted for people in Paris that drivers who choose SUVs are to pay more for parking, based on vehicle weight. SUVs increase danger (reducing inclusion for who will feel safe travelling actively) damage to roads, and have higher emissions.

“Because there are several ways that SUVs are worse for our streets, there are several angles for higher charges. The City of Westminster is bringing in higher parking rates based on emissions. We'd love London boroughs to coordinate.”

Last month Westminster City Council confirmed plans to introduce emissions-based charging for residents and visitors who drive into the city. Its “pay to park” charges will increase from March 18, while resident permits will change in April. The changes are part of the council's push to promote the use of electric vehicles.

Caroline Russell, a Green Party member of the London Assembly, said: “Have to love the people of Paris. SUVs have no place on busy city streets and charging more for storing monster cars on the street makes sense.”

Sian Berry, another Green member of the London Assembly described the move as “excellent” and “pragmatic”. She wrote on X: “An excellent and pragmatic move to help improve safety and stem the tide of ever larger and heavier personal transportation (it’s based on weight) from the Socialist Mayor of Paris working closely with Greens. Well done all those Parisians who voted for this!”

Alice Ridley from transport charity Campaign for Better Transport, said: “SUVs are too large for most city streets and are harming our efforts to tackle congestion and reduce carbon emissions. We support higher parking charges for SUVs to help reduce the impact of these large vehicles on London’s roads and public transport system.”

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he will be monitoring the effectiveness of Paris’s plan but said that City Hall has no powers to introduce an SUV parking charge.