Drivers in Croydon could soon have to shell out nearly four times more for a parking permit.

Croydon Council wants to introduce emissions based charges for cars from this October.

It would be good news for people with electric cars who would only pay £6.50 for an annual resident’s parking permit.

But, for the most polluting cars, and any made before 2001, drivers would have to cough up £300 a year.

Currently there is a standard charge for a resident’s permit of £80.

Public consultation on the plans is now open until June 20.

According to a council paper published in March, cars would be split into five bands – depending on CO2 emissions.

According to the European Environment Agency, in 2017, the average emissions level of the new cars registered in the EU was 118.5 grams of CO2 per kilometre (g/km).

The lowest band, one, would be for cars which emit less than 1g/km of CO2 and cost £6.50 a year.

Band two, 1 – 65g/km would cost £65,

Band three, 76 – 165g/km would cost £104,

Band four 166 – 225g/km would cost £146,

Band five is for cars emitting more than 225g/km costing £300.

And any cars made before 2001 would also have to pay the maximum £300 charge.

Councillor Stuart King, cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “Applying a Polluter Pays model is one of a number of ways we are trying to encourage people to make more environmentally friendly journey choices.

“In this case, we are offering up to a 90% discount for parking permits for the lowest emission vehicles.”

Not everybody thinks that the proposals are the best idea.

Conservative Councillor Mario Creatura said that while the council has a ‘noble ambition’ he does not think increasing the cost of permits is the way to go.

“You are going to have to pay an increasing amount of money for something that you rely on day to day, for your income or taking your kids where they need to go,” he said.

“They have got a very noble ambition to help people make better choices but I don’t think it is realistic or practical to think that someone is going to scrap the car they’ve got or find a way of paying the increased costs.”

And Conservative colleague, Councillor Simon Hoar, thinks that more work could be done on the banding of the vehicles.

He says that being based on emissions per kilometre will mean those who have bough hybrid cars will not benefit from a lower tariff.

According to Autocar,  popular hybrid car the Toyota Prius’ emits 78g/km.

This would put it in the same bracket as many other cars and see the eco-conscious drivers being hit with an increased charge for a permit.

“The whole idea about trying to improve air quality is great,” said Mr Hoar.

“But hybrid cars will be hit with the same increases as regular cars.

“And to make such a drastic jump from £80-300 for band five cars will hit pensioners and those on lower incomes.

“They are more likely to have older cars and pensioners often don’t use them as much but they are going to be hit with a £300 permit.”

What’s next?

Croydon Council hopes that an emissions based model would be introduced in three stages.

Business and all other permits would be introduced in 2020 and on and off street parking restrictions could be introduced the following year.

Residents have until Thursday, June 20 to have their say on the first stage here: getinvolved.croydon.gov.uk/project/566.