Urgent warning to EV drivers as councils bring in hefty new fees – and experts say more will follow
EV DRIVERS have been given an urgent warning as councils bring in hefty new fees – and experts say more will follow.
The London boroughs of Richmond and Newham have scrapped free residential parking permits for electric and hybrid cars.
Kirklees Council in West Yorkshire will also start charging EV drivers for parking permits this month.
LeaseElectricCar’s Tim Alcock said: “With councils across the UK under immense financial pressure, they are desperately looking to make cuts and find ways to bring in more funds.
“Kirklees Council predicts they will save around £600,000 a year by charging EV owners for permits.
“Other councils will be eagerly watching on to see where they can make similar changes.”
Many councils have handed out free parking permits to EV drivers in a bid to improve air quality.
But some cash-strapped local authorities are now mulling whether to bring in charges.
Kirklees Council’s Graham Turner told the Yorkshire Post: “As part of a review of the parking permit scheme, an increase in the cost of residential permits is being considered.
“A charge for new electric vehicle parking permits has already been introduced.
“Fee increases cover operational costs including administration and production of permits – as well as contributing to maintenance costs of signs, lines and effective enforcement of restrictions.
“The introduction of a fee for Electric Vehicle and Hybrid permit holders still presents a big saving on standard parking fees across the year at Council-owned car parks.
“It should not deter people from switching to an electric vehicle.”
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