Paris to vote on raising parking fees for SUVs

Bangkok Post Group

Paris is to hold a referendum on raising parking fees for SUVs as city officials look to deter the use of larger and higher-polluting vehicles. - REUTERS

Transcript

00:00 To deter the use of large sports utility vehicles or SUVs in the French capital, Paris officials

00:08 are proposing raising parking fees for the heavier cars.

00:11 A referendum will be held in response to concerns about safety and pollution, as Deputy Mayor

00:17 David Baillard explains.

00:18 It is to say to manufacturers, stop building this type of car because it is too expensive,

00:27 too polluting and completely unsuitable.

00:30 It is even absurd as a time when we need to move towards lighter vehicles.

00:34 And it is to tell all those who continue to use their private cars because they are the

00:39 richest, no.

00:42 Bicycles and pedestrian-friendly policies have steadily reduced the number of cars in

00:46 Paris over the past 10 years, but the average size of cars in the capital has increased.

00:52 Paris City Council argues SUVs consume more fuel than a standard vehicle and because of

00:57 their size are more dangerous for pedestrians.

01:00 They'll use scanners to determine the weight of parked vehicles.

01:04 Local opinions on the idea are split.

01:08 They encourage people to buy electric cars and then they start taxing them.

01:15 It's a symbol of another era.

01:17 At a time when there's a lot of traffic, it takes up too much space, for my taste.

01:24 I think it's a symbol of crushing others, which I don't like.

01:29 The Motorist Association believes the initiative is the latest move in an anti-car process

01:34 Paris has embarked on for years.

01:41 I'd say that today SUVs and cars in general are much heavier and bulkier than they used

01:46 to be.

01:49 It's for reasons of safety, comfort and even ecology, environmental reasons.

01:57 A lot of modifications have been made.

02:03 Manufacturers have made enormous efforts with these vehicles.

02:09 It's the second referendum Paris has held on urban matters after banning rental scooters

02:13 in September.

02:15 This citizens' vote is set down for February.

02:17 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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