HYBRID DRIVERS TO BENEFIT FROM PARKING CO2 EMISSIONS TAX
Drivers of Lexus hybrid models will benefit from local authority plans to base the cost of residents’ parking permits on vehicle emissions.
The London Borough of Richmond became the first local authority in the UK on April 2 this year to charge for residents’ parking permits according to how much carbon dioxide their vehicle produced.
Since then a number of other authorities have introduced similar schemes - including the London boroughs of Islington and Lambeth - and their moves are expected to trigger an avalanche of local councils to link charges for annual parking permits for residents to the CO2 emissions of vehicles.
In Richmond, for example, based on the established graduated Vehicle Excise Duty system 12-month residents’ parking permits for vehicles in Band A (up to 110 g/km of CO2) are free, Band B (101-120 g/km) £50, Band C (121-150 g/km) £90, Band D (151-165 g/km) £110, Band E (166-185 g/km) £130, Band F (186-224 g/km) £150 and Band G (225+ g/km) £300. The charges have replaced the previous flat rate £100 a year charge in the borough.
Rates in other London boroughs vary with, for example, Band F and G vehicles in both Islington and Lambeth being subjected to a £160 and £200 charge respectively.
Leader of Richmond Council Serge Lourie said: “We now charge less for permits for the cars with the lowest emissions of CO2 and more for the vehicles with the highest emissions.
“Climate change is the defining issue of our age - it is clear that we must all change our behaviour to combat its effects. For our council this is just the first step in a long process that will see us bring forward policies to move our borough and council to lower carbon emissions. I believe that many other councils both in and outside London will now follow our lead.”
The tax change means that, for example, Richmond residents who drive a Lexus GS 450h (186 g/km) , RX 400h (192 g/km) or LS 600h (219 g/km) will pay £150 a year . However, that is half the price of the bill to be paid by drivers of vehicles such as the Audi A6 3.2 FSI, BMW 540i, BMW X5 3.0d, BMW 730i SE, Mercedes-Benz E350, Mercedes-Benz ML350 or Mercedes-Benz S280 all of which fall into the top £300 bracket.
Meanwhile, drivers of the IS 220d (168 g/km for most derivatives) would pay £130 under the plan.
Lexus national corporate and remarketing manager Andy Simpson said: “The focus on vehicle CO2 emission levels from the UK Government, the European Commission and now local authorities is unrelenting. It is clear that by opting to choose one of our hybrid models or the IS 220d motorists can save money.
“Our hybrid models also offer a no compromise contribution to company corporate social responsibility and carbon neutral policies.
“Companies are under increasing pressure to operate environmentally-friendly vehicles and hybrid technology deliver wallet-friendly fuel economy as well as low CO2 emissions.”
