Parking the car on the street is difficult, especially in a big city. The large number of vehicles in the most populated cities and the lack of parking spaces complicate the task of finding a space to park the car. It affects both residents of the area and visitors, although the former have the advantage that, in addition to being able to access the blue zones, they can also park in the areas for residents, designed especially for them.
For a few years the rates for parking the car on the street are governed based on the emissions of the vehicles. With the aim of contributing to the reduction of air pollution and the improvement of air quality, the city councils of the most populated cities have established the so-called environmental tariffs. The price to park depends on the environmental label of the car.
Thus, vehicles deserving of the zero emissions badge have the privilege of parking for free. On the other hand, the rest of the vehicles pay a fee based on the label that corresponds to them: Eco, C, B and A (or without a label).
However, for a long time there have been voices that defend other alternatives to establish another pricing system for parking in regulated areas. Some councils are considering the possibility of paying for the size of the car so that the driver of a large car will find it more expensive to park on the street than someone else who drives a small utility vehicle.
Although the General Directorate of Traffic, at the request of the town councils, has agreed to include the dimensions of the cars in the vehicle register, the councils are still reluctant to apply this new payment system for parking on public roads. At the moment they maintain the current model that discriminates against cars based on their emissions, although they do not rule out introducing variations in the future.
Another alternative to the current payment system for parking on the street consists of establishing a scale of rates based on the weight of the vehicles. The defenders of this option consider that it is a "fairer" measure that "encourages the use of smaller or low-emission vehicles." This is what the city council of Lyon, the second most populous city in France, assures, which in 2024 will launch this new model.
Last May, the council led by the environmentalist Grégory Doucet approved this new pricing system that will allow owners of light vehicles to pay a monthly fee for parking on the street less than what owners of one more car will have to pay. heavy.
Until now, Lyon charges a single fee of 20 euros per month, without taking into account the emissions, size or weight of the vehicle. But from next year the tax will be more taxing for the owners of the heaviest and most polluting cars, who will have to face an amount more than double the current one.
Starting in 2024, internal combustion engine vehicles weighing more than 1,725 kg, plug-in hybrids weighing more than 1,900 kg and electric vehicles weighing more than 2,200 kg will have to pay a fee of 45 euros per month. On the other hand, cars without emissions of less than 2,200 kg and thermal cars that weigh less than 1,000 kg will benefit from a reduced rate and will only have to pay 15 euros per month.
The new standard rate of 30 euros will especially affect drivers of SUV models. These are internal combustion engine cars weighing between 1,000 and 1,725 kg, as well as plug-in hybrids weighing up to 1,900 kg.
Both low-income citizens and large families will be able to benefit from reduced rates. Likewise, essential service professionals who travel by car around Lyon will also enjoy discounted fees, as announced by the city council when it made public its intentions for next year.
