Cardiff Council is to introduce a so-called ‘Land Rover Tax’ to penalise ‘polluting’ SUVs, but it will also affect big selling electric cars such as the Tesla Model Y, Volkswagen ID.4 and even some ID.3 models.
The parking plans, approved by the council’s cabinet on October 16th , allow an additional charge for residential parking permits for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of more than 2,400kg. This is the total permissible mass of the car once it is fully laden with passengers and luggage rather than the actual weight of the car when empty.
This means it will scoop up many family cars such as seven-seaters, especially those with larger batteries which tend to be heavier than an engine and fuel tank. Larger vehicles that are over 3,500kg in revenue weight – including some electric vans - will not be entitled to parking permits at all.
In a statement, the Council said: “Parking is a finite resource and that difficult choices must be made to balance the needs of residents, businesses, visitors, and vulnerable groups. The City Parking Plan aims to support the city’s climate emergency response by encouraging cleaner vehicles and sustainable travel, reduce commuter parking in residential areas, make parking rules simpler and more consistent, and ensure fair access for all.
“The ‘Land Rover Tax’ is not an actual tax, but a nickname for a weight-based parking charge for large vehicles. These vehicles typically produce higher CO₂ emissions and occupy more space on the highway.”
However, the 2,400kg limit will affect a Volkswagen ID.3 GTX, all ID.4s and Tesla Model Ys. The Skoda Elroq and Enyaq, Audi Q4 e-tron and Peugeot e-3008 are also included. Petrol and diesel equivalents of these cars would not be penalised.
In response to criticism, the council says it would consider reducing the surchargeable weight to 2,000kg for non-electric cars vehicles, rather than introducing an exemption for EVs.
The good news is that the cost increase is expected to be reasonably insignificant. The price of a residential parking permit in Cardiff is £35 per year and it is expected to be doubled for vehicles over 2.4 tonnes. The council has said the extra income would be used to improve transport and parking in the city.
Larger vans are banned entirely from the permit scheme 
