Lyon makes parking fees socially fair and environmentally just

What you pay for having your car resting in the city will now depend on several different factors

France’s third-largest city, Lyon, has announced a new parking policy in its public areas to use it as another axis to promote social justice and boost climate action. Starting next year, parking fees will be determined on a progressive basis to encourage the use of electric and less-polluting vehicles but also to give economically vulnerable members of society equal access to public spaces.

In short, this means that if you drive an electric vehicle, you will pay less to park it, and vice versa if you stick to large fossil fuel engines, you’ll pay even more than before.

Likewise, families with 3 and more kids, as well as those living in the lowest income brackets will be able to park at solidarity rates.

Not all cars are created equal

The local authorities are firm in the opinion that a global mobility policy can better the quality of life by organizing the use of public space and enabling the smooth running of the city. The City of Lyon is leading a proactive mobility transition policy to respond to the climate emergency, atmospheric pollution and the challenges of road safety and the better sharing of public areas.

Electric vehicles (with green Crit'air sticker) will automatically benefit from the reduced rate of 15 euros per month, in order to contribute to the fight against air pollution, with the exception of particularly bulky and impacting vehicles. The most income-modest families and households will also have access to this reduced rate (regardless of their vehicle), as well as combustion engine vehicles weighing less than 1000 kg (small city car segment).

On the other hand, the most cumbersome and environmentally impactful vehicles will have to pay the increased rate of 45 euros per month. These are internal combustion vehicles weighing more than 1725 kg. However, “green Crit’Air” vehicles weighing more than 2,2 tonnes will also fall in that category.

The implication here is that the authorities are really frowning upon large cars muscling out others and hogging up the scarce urban space.

Apart from the obvious fact that such vehicles are more expensive, they also cause more damage when involved in accidents and even when they brake, they emit more fine particles. So, as far as the City of Lyon is concerned, they should be at a disadvantage regarding traffic regulations.