City of London introduces city's first low-emission parking fare

The City of London Corporation, which provides public services for London's financial and commercial district, has introduced preferential parking rates for electric and hybrid vehicles within London's 'Square Mile'.

From 20 August 2018, electric and hybrid vehicle drivers have benefited from parking charges that are £1.20 cheaper per hour than petrol vehicles registered since 2005 or diesel vehicles registered after 2015, if they pay by app. Incentivising sustainable travel further, drivers with petrol vehicles registered before 2005 or diesel vehicles registered prior to 2015 will pay £2.80 per hour more than drivers of electric and hybrid vehicles.

“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”, said Chris Hayward, the Planning and Transport Committee Chairman of the City of London Corporation.

In order to benefit from the incentive, drivers need to pay using a payment app, designed by software firm RingGo. The app charges drivers based on their vehicle fuel type and registration date. The scheme is the latest effort by the Corporation in response to London's air pollution levels, which regularly breaches legal limits. The Corporation is also making its own internal commitments, including banning the purchase of diesel vehicles from its own fleet of 300 vehicles. Furthermore, the Corporation has installed 30 electric vehicle charging points, thus providing access to charging infrastructure for city residents.

The full news article can be viewed here.

(Article first issued by edie.net on 15/08/2018)