Motorists are facing significant increases in parking fees as councils throughout England impose extra charges on petrol and diesel vehicles.

Around one in five councils currently add clean-air fees to parking rates and residential parking permits to discourage the use of polluting cars.

This spring, East Sussex and Bath and North East Somerset became the latest councils to implement such fees, following the trend set by two-thirds of London boroughs that now levy charges based on vehicle fuel type. These parking fees come on top of penalties from low-emission zones that some cities apply to older vehicles.

In contrast to clean-air zones, these parking surcharges—which can lead to costs tripling—are not consistently indicated on street signage or parking notifications. As a result, many drivers are unaware of these charges until they attempt to pay via parking apps.

Councils argue that this policy is crucial for combating air pollution and incentivizing drivers to move towards more sustainable transport options. However, auto organizations have criticized the approach, claiming that the absence of clear signage and the unpredictable nature of the charges leave drivers confused.

Some councils impose surcharges solely on diesel vehicles, while others offer exemptions for cars that meet the EU’s Euro 6 emissions standard. Moreover, many adjust fees based on CO2 emissions or engine size, resulting in numerous pricing tiers for the same parking location.

In several London boroughs, vehicles compliant with the Euro 6 standard—exempt from fees when entering the ultra-low emissions zone—are subject to additional emissions surcharges upon parking. Drivers will only discover the total charges at the checkout on the parking app.

The AA has labeled these additional charges as a covert tax that disproportionately impacts lower-income drivers and may negatively affect struggling local economies.

“A ‘charge’ fairly reflects the costs of providing a service, with a bit of profit included. Anything above that threshold is effectively a ‘tax,’ according to evidence submitted to parliament,” stated a spokesperson. “Linking emissions to parking costs amounts to a money grab by councils.”

Residents and employees in the affected regions contend they are being unfairly burdened, noting that some boroughs charge exorbitantly different rates for parking permits—up to ten times more than others. In Lambeth, the cost of annual permits has reportedly surged by as much as 400% since 2023. This steep increase affects day permits for essential workers like teachers and doctors, who may now face fees reaching £1,000 annually for parking related to their jobs. Permit surcharges and visitor parking are classified into 13 categories based on CO2 emissions, with an extra charge applied to diesel vehicles.

Local resident Will Freeman shared that the cost of a permit for his Euro 6-compliant diesel vehicle increased by over a third this year, now standing at £795, following a near doubling of the fee in 2023. In contrast, a permit in neighboring Bromley costs only £150. “We purchased our car in 2018 based on that year’s permit pricing and a reasonable expectation for annual increases,” he remarked. “It’s now impossible to anticipate future costs, as the rules keep changing without any transitional period. We rarely use the car except for long trips out of the city and cannot afford a replacement or a home with a driveway for free parking.”

Lambeth officials stated that the forthcoming price hikes had been publicized in local media and on their website, and residents received email notifications. However, they noted that surcharges impacting pay-as-you-go drivers are not displayed on street and parking lot signage.

Westminster has enacted a clean-air policy that, as of last year, also applies to electric vehicles, charging additional parking fees based on battery size to account for the carbon footprint from construction and the extra strain those vehicles place on roads.

The council emphasized that information regarding the surcharging policies is communicated via signs in parking areas, and the revenue generated is utilized for roadway and environmental enhancements.

Moreover, temporary visitor parking surcharges linked to emissions are made possible through councils’ growing preference for app-based payment methods. These apps utilize the vehicle’s registration to gather data on engine size and emissions status from the DVLA and add the corresponding surcharge to the total parking fee at checkout. Most of these apps also impose a convenience fee, typically up to 20p, although drivers can evade this additional charge in areas equipped with ticket machines.

The House of Commons transport committee has previously scrutinized the legality of raising parking fees for reasons separate from the rental of the space. It reached the conclusion that while councils could offer lower charges for greener vehicles, increasing standard rates for other vehicles constitutes a tax.

A government spokesperson remarked: “Our guidelines indicate that parking fees should be fair and consider the needs of residents, local businesses, and visitors.

“Local authorities are tasked with establishing charges and ensuring that drivers are adequately informed about the fees and restrictions in place. They are best positioned to determine the local measures necessary to meet legal air quality standards.”