Westminster launches emissions-based parking charges

Westminster City Council is introducing emissions-based charging for residents and visitors who drive into the city.

The new schemes will be introduced for residents with parking permits and people who pay-to-park in Westminster.

The new emissions-based charging schemes will see vehicles being charged based on their levels of CO2 emissions. Vehicles that produce lower levels of CO2 will be charged less in comparison to those which produce more.

The changes are designed to help Westminster reach its goal of a Net Zero City by 2040 and tackle poor air quality.

Westminster residents with an EV will pay the equivalent of £1.50 a week to park outside their home, and visitors with EVs who pay to park in Westminster will still be paying less than those driving petrol or diesel cars.

In addition, the council is launching a consultation to hear the views of people who use the new charging schemes. From Thursday 25 January, people will be able to share the opinions and ask questions about the scheme for a three-week period.

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Cabinet Member for City Management and Air Quality, said “Westminster City Council has invested heavily in electric vehicle infrastructure to encourage people to switch to EVs and low polluting vehicles.

“Westminster has more than 2,500 electric vehicle chargers across the city which is more than any other local authority in the UK. And 50 per cent of our waste collection fleet is now made up of zero-emission electric vehicles.

“Until now, pay to park charges for EVs in Westminster have been extremely low, and to keep up with the increasing demand for EVs the council is moving to an emissions-based charging system. The new scheme will support the growth of electric vehicles in the city while keeping charges fair, proportionate, and as low as possible.”

"To encourage more people to switch to an EV, the cost of parking an EV in Westminster will remain much lower than driving or a petrol or diesel car."