It may be that Paris stands out for its boulevards and wide avenues, but in reality, like many European capitals, traffic is hell and much more is finding a parking space. That is why Paris councilors unanimously approved a measure stipulating an increase in rates for large vehicles.
According to Frédéric Badina-Serpette, a councilor for the environmental party EELV that proposed the measures, the aim of the proposal is to “focus on an absurdity: the self-kissing… the inexorable growth of the weight and size of the vehicles that circulate in our cities, and in particular in Paris”.
The number of SUVs in the French capital increased by 60 percent in the last four years, and now they represent 15 percent of the 1.15 million private vehicles that circulate on the streets of Paris.
Driving around Paris is not as pleasant as it seems.
David Belliard, deputy mayor of the city responsible for mobility, emphasized: “There are no dirt roads, no mountain roads… SUVs are absolutely useless in Paris. Even worse, they are dangerous, cumbersome and use too many resources”.
There were also voices against This proposal to increase rates came from Pierre Chasseray, a spokesman for a drivers’ organization, who clarified that some large families use SUVs instead of minivans, and would be penalized when not appropriate.
The truth is that the details of this project are still in development, and it seems that not only will SUV parking be penalized monetarily as a segment, but that the rates will depend on the size, weight and engine of the vehicle.. The regulation is expected to come into effect in 2024and perhaps change things a little or It may be the beginning of the end for unnecessarily large vehicles in cities.
