Why is the City of London getting rid of its free parking trial
for electric cars?
We are concerned that free parking has encouraged car use
instead of the use of public transport, walking and cycling.
The City has 13 tube stations, seven tube lines, seven mainline
stations. It is served by 39 high frequency bus routes and 12 night
bus routes. There is very little need to drive into the City
of London.
The City of London was one of the first places to introduce the
free parking trial when electric technology was new. The free
parking provision has encouraged additional car commuting to the
City with people transferring to driving cars instead of using
public transport (particularly the London Underground) or walking
or cycling.
The City of London continues to be the world’s leading
international financial centre and its workforce is expanding. As a
result, the City’s roads are becoming increasingly congested. To
minimise this congestion we are promoting public transport, walking
or cycling as the most efficient and environmentally friendly way
of getting into the City.
Surely you are being anti-green?
There is nothing green about driving in central London, any car
electric or otherwise causes congestion. We want people to
use public transport, cycle or walk. Around 90% (285,000) of
the City’s workforce commute to work using public
transport.
How long has the trial for free electric car parking been
running?
A trial of free electric vehicle parking has been running in the
City of London since 7 September 2001. Electric Car owners
have made cash savings over the years both on congestion charge and
parking fees.
When the free parking for electric cars finish?
The trial will end at the end of 2008. There will be
phased withdrawal for those who currently hold free
passes.
Motorists buying an electric car for the first time will not get
any parking discounts at all.
What does the phased withdrawal mean? What will happen
for electric-car owners who currently hold ‘free’ passes?
Electric car owners who currently hold free passes will have to
pay £2,000 for an annual car park permit if they wish to continue
driving into the City. In 2010 this will become £4,000 and
from 2011 electric car owners will have to pay the same as everyone
else who drives into the City.
What is the 'standard' price of a season ticket in City of
London car parks?
There are 2,028 parking spaces across six off-street public car
parks. Prices in the City's public car parks vary according
to the particular car park, with more centrally located and more
popular car parks costing more. Quarterly (i.e., 13-week)
season ticket prices range from £1,066 (Minories and White's Row
car parks) to £1,599 (London Wall car park). This makes the
option of Oyster card more financially attractive.
What is the cost of parking on the street?
The cost of parking on the street in the City of London is £4.00
per hour.
How many free permits has the City of London Corporation
issued?
As at 22 November 2007 the City had issued 496 free on-street
parking permits for electric vehicles and 539 free season tickets
for its off-street public car parks.