Square Mile introduces ‘emissions-based’ parking charges

The City of London Corporation has announced the introduction of new charges for on-street parking in the Square Mile starting on Monday (20 August).

The new parking charges will use an ‘emissions-based’ system, which will it is claimed has been designed to target high polluting vehicles with higher charges.

London’s Square Mile

The initiative aims to incentivise motorists to contribute to improvements in air quality across the Square Mile by reducing nitrogen oxides and harmful particulates through driving cleaner vehicles in the air.

RingGo’s Emissions Based Parking product will assess the type of vehicle being parked and charge tariffs based on the level of pollution likely to be emitted by the vehicle.

Under the new tariff, electric or hybrid will be charged at a rate of £1 per 15 minutes, and £4.00 for an hour. In comparison, petrol vehicles registered from 2005 onwards (Euro 4) will be charged £1.30 for 15 minutes and £5.20 for one hour.

Diesel vehicles registered from 2015 (Euro 6) onwards will be charged £1.30 for a quarter of an hour, and £5.20 for a full hour.

Any vehicles falling outside of these criteria will be charged £1.70 for a quarter of an hour and £6.80 for a full hour.

Charges

Chris Hayward, Planning and Transportation Committee Chairman at the City of London Corporation, comments: “We have seen other areas of London penalise worst offenders such as diesel cars. We are taking this one step further by not only applying punitive measures for these worst offenders but by supporting and encouraging motorists to consider other modes of transport and switch to cleaner vehicles in the future.

“98% of all parking in the City is paid for by mobile phone so RingGo’s Emissions Based Parking is a great way of reminding motorists of the impact of their journey each and every time they travel.

“The Square Mile is one of London’s busiest areas, therefore, it is only right that the City of London Corporation continues to prioritise providing a safe and healthy environment for its workers, visitors and residents.”

Peter O’Driscoll, UK Country Manager for RingGo, added: “The government is promoting Clean Air Zones as the best way to influence motorists’ behaviour. But these take several years to set up, not to mention requiring considerable expenditure.  With no physical infrastructure needed, RingGo’s Emissions Based Parking provides similar outcomes at a fraction of the cost and can be set up in a matter of weeks.

“It’s the ultimate quick and easy way to encourage more responsible motoring.”