Dover District Council is to introduce cheaper resident parking permits for low emission vehicles as part of a review of parking charges.
The move aims to incentivise a switch to electric and hybrid vehicles and is part of the Council’s climate change strategy and action plan.
Residents' Parking Permits charges (per annum)
Band A (zero CO2 emissions) - £35 or £60 depending on zone
Band B (1 to 50 g/km) - £70 or £105 depending on zone
Band C (51 to 130 g/km) - £90 or £125 depending on zone
Band D (131 g/km and above) - £110 or £150 depending on zone
DDC recently announced a £224,270 plan to install 49 electric vehicle charging bays at 18 locations in Dover, Deal and Sandwich, including both DDC-owned public car parks and on-street with funding from the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles.
In a further move to incentivise the switch to electric and hybrid vehicles DDC is to suspend pay-and-display parking charges when motorists are charging their vehicles in one of its electric vehicle (EV) charging bays. This is being introduced for a trial period of one year meaning that motorists will only have to pay the power supply charges.
Any vehicle parked in an EV charging bay but not actively charging during the enforceable hours (9am to 6pm) will be subject to a penalty charge notice.
Cllr Nigel Collor, cabinet member for transport, licencing, and community, said: "We’re committed to introducing practical steps that help residents to cut their emissions.
"Alongside a major investment in electric vehicle charging points, we’re also incentivising residents to make the switch to electric and hybrid vehicles by making sure that those with the least polluting vehicles pay lower tariffs."