Large vehicles such as SUVs should be charged more for parking as part of efforts to tackle pollution and road safety, a leading councillor has said.
Jamie Osborn wants to introduce the measures in Norwich, where he says such cars are "utterly unnecessary", as well as other Norfolk towns.
It follows similar emissions-based parking charge schemes in cities like Bath, as well as parts of London and Paris.
He has outlined his proposals at Conservative-controlled County Hall and is urging the authority to consider working with district councils to implement the measures.
However, critics have described the scheme as "airy fairy" and "authoritarian".
It comes at a time of growing debate over the number of so-called 'anti-car' policies being introduced by local councils to reduce traffic and pollution.
Opponents have questioned their effectiveness and say they restrict individual freedoms.
The new proposal would follow a similar system implemented by Lambeth council, where cars are charged according to the tax band of the vehicle, which is based on their CO2 emissions.
However, Mr Osborn's proposals would not be entirely based on emissions. He would also like to see electric SUVs placed in the highest pricing bracket, alongside other SUVs, because he claims their size makes them "dangerous" in cities.
He added that higher earners are more likely to drive large SUVs - sport utility vehicles - therefore the scheme would avoid penalising those on lower incomes.
The new charging system would be imposed on existing on-street parking, which Norfolk County Council oversees. Mr Osborn, who is also a city councillor, also wants car parks to use the system, but this would need more involvement from district councils, which have responsibility for them.
The revenue raised would be ringfenced for greener transport options such as public transport, walking and cycling, which would be of benefit to people on low incomes while disincentivising SUVs.
"Compared to ordinary cars, SUVs are eight times more likely to kill a child in a crash, produce 25% more planet-heating carbon emissions, and poison our air with toxic fumes," Mr Osborn claimed.
"They are utterly unnecessary in an urban area like Norwich.
"Emissions-based parking charges would mean that these oversized vehicles are charged for parking at a rate that reflects the space they take up and their costs to society.
"Other English councils, as well as the city of Paris, are already introducing these charges, and Norfolk County Council should be seeking to follow suit, to protect residents from the air pollution and congestion that SUVs contribute to."
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But Simon Jones, chairman of the Norwich Conservative Federation, said the Green scheme was “airy fairy” and would cause practical problems including for people living in rural areas.
“Norwich is part of a rural county and its population increases between two and three times per day.
“A lot of these visitors come from parts of the countryside where it may be more practical to have an SUV.
“The other issue that I see is enforcement - do you make it on size or weight?
“Most electric cars are heavier than SUV’s. I don’t think it is a particularly sensible policy and quite authoritarian.”
READ MORE: Short-stay on-street parking charges to increase
Norfolk County Council, which is responsible for setting on-street parking charges, said it already sets different parking charges in controlled parking zones in the city based on the length of the vehicle.
It said the costs can be 80pc higher compared to smaller vehicles for a six-month period. But elsewhere in Norfolk, on-street parking is charged at the same rate, regardless of size.
SUVs in the firing line
SUVs have emerged as a particular focus of debate for their environmental as well as societal impact.
In some parts of the country, activist groups have targeted the vehicles by drilling holes through their tyres.
Earlier this month, protestors calling themselves ‘Tyre Extinguishers’ damaged 60 SUVs at a Jaguar dealership in Exeter.
A study by the International Energy Agency claimed that if the global fleet of SUVs were a country, they would rank as the sixth most polluting country in the world.
However, critics say that their environmental impact has been exaggerated and selecting such a specific target risks undermining the fight against climate change.
The view on the streets
Drivers making use of car parks in the city gave a mixed verdict to the proposal.
Angel Bale, 20, who lives just outside of Norwich, said: “It makes sense because if you were to charge people more they would be less likely to purchase higher-polluting cars. I could see how it would be beneficial but some families may need to use larger vehicles."
Chris and Catherine, from Mulbarton, said they were “all for greener options” but complained they were unable to ditch the car due to the poor bus service to their village and argued investment in public transport was needed first.
Robin Whymark, who spends his time living between Spain and Norwich, said: “It sounds like a good idea but parking fees tend to put people off coming into the city, which would be a drawback.
“I worry it would impact businesses by forcing people outside the city limits.”
For Singh Simranjit, who lives in Norwich, it would be "unfair" to force the higher costs on bigger cars, believing it should be equal for everyone.
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