The mayor of Tübingen in southern Germany has sparked controversy and received both support and opposition for his proposal to increase parking fees by 600%, according to the British newspaper "The Guardian." Mayor Boris Palmer, a member of the Green Party, is trying to reduce the number of parked cars in the city, particularly large vehicles.
Palmer initially proposed raising the annual parking fees for SUVs from 30 euros to 360 euros (approximately 211 dollars) but did not receive enough support from city climate committee officials. According to Stuttgarter Zeitung, the higher fee of 180 euros will apply to combustion engine vehicles weighing over 1800 kg, as well as electric vehicles weighing over 2000 kg.
Palmer explained that individuals receiving social benefits will pay half the normal fees, and there will also be exemptions for people with disabilities and caregivers reliant on their vehicles for work. He indicated that the aim of the increased parking fees is to persuade drivers to leave their cars at home and use public transport instead.
He stated, "There should be a noticeable difference between the fees that small city cars and large SUVs, which are not actually necessary in the city, have to pay." Like other German cities, Tübingen aims to become a carbon-neutral city by 2030, with a focus on protecting the environment and mitigating global warming. The revenue from increased parking fees is expected to fund and enhance public transport projects.
Other towns and cities are testing similar schemes, and this proposal in Tübingen has received wide support from environmental activists. Notably, the world celebrates Car-Free Day on September 22 each year, highlighting the detrimental impact of car emissions on the environment.
