A local authority in London has become the first in the world to charge motorists for parking on the basis of how "green" their vehicle is.Skip related content Richmond upon Thames is to charge drivers varying prices based on the carbon dioxide emissions of their vehicle of choice. The system works for drivers who use the RingGo system to pay for their parking. Motorists register and pay by phone, and RingGo accesses the DVLA database for each customer's registration to determine emissions data on the car. Those who drive gas-guzzlers will pay 25% above the standard rate while those who drive eco-friendly cars will pay 25% less than the standard rate. The aim, the LibDem-controlled council says, is to encourage motorists to use greener vehicles and therefore help local and national government to meet their targets for emissions. "Global warming is one of the greatest challenges of our lifetime and many people simply don't realise the influence on the planet that their choice of vehicle makes," said councillor David Trigg. "Providing clear signals, through situations which people encounter on a daily basis, is the very best way to spread this message." A spokesman for the AA said the council's move was more about stealth tax and less about reducing carbon emissions. "Richmond has managed to cut its emissions over the past year by nearly twice as much as was required. "The council has officially said it wants to make some £556,000 in extra revenue and we see this latest move as purely punitive - an easy way to get extra income." The spokesman said the AA was extremely mindful of the need to cut carbon emissions and was in favour of action, as long as it was proportionate. "Carbon emissions are already falling because of improving technology and people switching from petrol to diesel so things are going quickly in the right direction. "Added to that, you have the scrappage scheme which will get 400,000 cars that are 10 years old or more off the roads and that will make a big difference." One other point he makes is that the average London driver's carbon emissions are far lower than, say, the driver of a Ford Fiesta in Basingstoke, "so authorities must look at other ways of cutting emissions, not just by imposing ever-growing charges". A specially-developed Richmond smart card will also give drivers access to variable prices, but those paying with cash will have to pay a standard rate.World First For 'Green' Charge On Parking
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Thursday, 1 October 2009
Posted by Britannia Radio at 14:35