[ad_1]
Parisians have approved a significant increase in parking fees for SUVs in the French capital.
The proposal was approved by 54.55% of voters, but turnout was only about 5.7%.
The move will triple parking fees in Paris to 18 euros (about $20) per hour for cars weighing more than 1.6 tonnes.
The vote was called by Socialist Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who has argued that SUVs are dangerous and bad for the environment.
Approximately 1.3 million residents of central Paris were eligible to vote. However, street parking for local residents remains unchanged, so the results are unaffected.
The move primarily targets people from the suburbs who are driving into the capital city center for the day.
There are exemptions for fully electric vehicles, taxi drivers, tradesmen, healthcare workers and disabled people.
Hidalgo has been president for almost 10 years. During her mayoralty, many streets in Paris, including the banks of the Seine, were pedestrianized.
An extensive network of bicycle lanes has also been built to deter motorists.
Environmentalists argue that SUVs consume more fuel than other cars and produce more harmful emissions due to their construction and use.
Supporters of the move also point out that taller cars are more deadly than lighter cars if involved in an accident.
However, both driver groups and opponents attacked the plan, arguing that the classification of SUVs was misleading as many family-sized vehicles would be affected.
France’s centrist environment minister, Christophe Beche, told broadcaster RTL that the surcharge amounted to “punitive environmentalism.”
[ad_2]
Source link
