Drivers of more polluting cars will be charged more for on-street parking in Reading next month.
New emission-based charges will apply to on-street pay and display parking and residents’ parking permits, with the new charges coming into force from Monday, February 2.
A post on Reading Borough Council’s Facebook page states: “The charges are part of the Council’s drive to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality in Reading for the health and wellbeing of residents.
“There will be a sliding scale of charges based on the vehicle’s emission rating, starting at 151g/km (grams per kilometre).
“We anticipate around 50 per cent of cars will fall into the lowest category and will see no change, and that a further 25 per cent will fall into the first band and face a small increase.”
The charges do not apply to off-street parking at home.
The charging system works by putting vehicles, including cars and vans, into emissions groups.
Electric, hybrid and lower emissions vehicles will still have to pay to park, but will pay less than those in more polluting vehicles.
Charges will only increase for petrol or diesel vehicles that produce more than 151g/km of CO₂.
Emissions groups have been set at six different levels.
You can check the C02 emissions your vehicle produces by typing its registration into the DVLA website.
The increased charges were approved by the council’s policy committee last November.
