Press Story

The Government should set up a "green badge scheme" to encourage the use of ultra low emission vehicles, according to a forthcoming report by think tank IPPR. The report suggests that the scheme should mirror the current 'blue badge' scheme for disabled drivers run by local authorities, and provide benefits for drivers, boosting UK demand for ultra low emission vehicles.

The suggestion comes ahead of the big Easter getaway, one of the busiest day on the UKs roads. The report argues that green badge drivers should receive a range of advantages, including free parking in public car parks and areas where a permit is needed, as well the right to park in double red or yellow line areas. The report recommends that local authorities finance these privileges using parking fees charged to drivers of traditional vehicles.

The report also argues that green badge holders should be exempt from any city congestion charges such as the Durham congestion zone. These drivers should also be allowed to use toll roads, such as the, M6 Toll, the Severn Bridge and the Clifton Suspension Bridge, without charge, the report will argue

Will Straw, IPPR Associate Director, said:

"Although early days, Britain is currently behind other European countries and the USA in terms of the take up of electric cars and other ultra low emission vehicles. A 'green badge' scheme would help increase demand, giving a much needed boost to the industry and supporting other government policies like the 'plug in' grant.

"While we want to encourage innovation from local authorities, they need to act together to make sure their policy is uniform across neighbouring areas. This will provide clarity for drivers about the privileges that they are entitled to as they travel around."

Notes to editors

The Government's flagship policies to stimulate the domestic market in ultra low emission vehicles are the "plug in" grants. These are available until 2015 and cover:

25% off the cost of a plug in car, up to a maximum of £5,000; and
20% off the cost of plug in van, up to a maximum of £8,000

As of the end of 2012, the government had received 3,236 applications for the "plug in" grants. This amounts to less than 0.01 per cent of all vehicles licensed in Great Britain in 2012.

Local authorities around the country have different policies that give ultra low emission vehicles priority parking rights. Examples include the following:

Islington council gives plug-in electric vehicle owners free residential parking permits;
Milton Keynes council allows plug-in electric vehicles to be parked free of charge at a charging point regardless of whether or not the vehicle is plugged in or not;
Brighton & Hove council allows plug-in electric vehicles to benefit from free parking if the owner has a permit;
Wandsworth council offers a reduced a residential parking rate for plug-in electric vehicle owners but does not offer plug-in electric vehicle drivers visiting Wansdsworth any benefits; and
Westminster council requires plug-in electric vehicle owners to pay a £75 annual fee over and above fees paid to use a charging point, in order to be permitted to park at a charging point for free.
Newcastle City council gives low-carbon vehicle owners a discount on parking permits.

Contacts

Richard Darlington, 07525 481 602, r.darlington@ippr.org

Tessa Evans, 07875 727 298, t.evans@ippr.org