Drivers with low emission cars will pay less for parking permits.

Dover District Council (DDC) is to introduce lower costs for these residents as part of a review of parking charges.

The range of costs would depend on the zones the vehicles are parked in but for those with zero CO2 emissions the price for permits would be £35 to £60.

For those of one to 50 grams per kilometre it would be £70 to £105, for 51 to 130 g/km it is £90 to £125 and for 131 and above, £110 to £150.

This is to incentivise a switch to electric and hybrid vehicles and is part of the council’s climate change strategy and action plan.

DDC recently announced a £224,270 plan to install 49 electric vehicle charging bays at 18 locations in Dover, Deal and Sandwich.

This includes both its public car parks and on-street spaces and the scheme has funding from the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles.

In a further incentive the council is to suspend pay-and-display parking fees when motorists are repowering their vehicles in one of its charging bays.

This is being introduced for a trial period of one year so motorists will only have to pay the power supply charges.

But any vehicle parked in such a bay but not actively charging during the enforceable hours of 9am to 6pm will get a penalty notice.

Cllr Nigel Collor, cabinet member for transport, licencing, and community, said: “We’re committed to introducing practical steps that help residents to cut their emissions.

“Alongside a major investment in electric vehicle charging points, we’re also incentivising residents to make the switch to electric and hybrid vehicles by making sure that those with the least polluting vehicles pay lower tariffs.”

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