Paris launches vote to triple parking fees for SUVs Teenager waves python around – guess where it happened

A citizen survey began in Paris on Sunday to increase parking fees for heavy off-road vehicles in the city. About 1.3 million residents of the capital took part in the vote under the motto “More or less SUV in Paris?” called. According to the city council’s plan, just one hour of parking for SUVs and other heavy cars will cost 18 euros in the center instead of the usual 6 euros, and in the suburbs 12 euros instead of 4 euros. The results of the survey are expected late Sunday evening.

The city council received strong criticism even before the vote. According to a survey, 70 percent of people in Paris support measures against large cars. However, interest in citizen research is still low. Only eleven percent of eligible voters said they wanted to participate in the vote.

The city’s argument for higher fees for SUVs: the heavy bodies caused more environmental pollution, took up a lot of public space and endangered road safety. The special rate for large cars was intended to limit the nuisance they cause.

Only visitors have to pay the special rate for SUVs. Residents should be excluded, as should traders and healthcare services. The rate should apply to combustion engine and hybrid models weighing 1.6 tonnes or more, and electric models weighing two tonnes or more. The scheme does not apply to private parking garages. (sda/dpa)