Cheaper parking for low-emission cars in Richmond

Drivers of cars with low emissions in Richmond-upon-Thames will now be able to benefit from cheaper parking.

The local scheme means that those with vehicles with low-to-medium emissions pay 10p per 20 minutes for on-street parking – halve the amount paid by vehicles emitting higher levels of carbon.

Councillor David Trigg said that 60 per cent of motorists would either benefit or be no worse off thanks to the new pricing scheme.

He stated: "We hope this scheme will encourage more motorists to drive less polluting cars."

A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “Drivers will argue that that Vehicle Excise Duty, which is now an environmental tax, and the duty on fuel more than compensates for the carbon for whick they are responsible. Richmond would be better off charging the diesel-engined vehicles that are so detrimental to the air quality in London boroughs.”