Town considering charging SUVs more to park

Large cars could be charged more to use council-run car parks in Cheltenham under new proposals.

The town's borough council has promised to look at whether Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) should pay an extra levy, after concerns were raised over the amount of space they take up and claims they can cause extra road damage because of their weight.

It follows a motion put forward this week by Green Party group leader Jan Foster, who claims the measure would help to discourage drivers from buying SUVs.

The Alliance of British Drivers said it is "not the responsibility of the council to make moral judgements" on people's car choice, and added it should "mind its own business".

RAC data show more than half of new cars sold in the UK in 2025 were SUVs.

Similar charges have been introduced in Cardiff and Paris, and Bath has just held a public consultation on whether drivers of heavy cars should pay more to park.

Foster claimed the large and heavy vehicles cause a number of problems including higher rates of air pollution, increased risk to other road users, greater damage to road infrastructure and take up more room in general – a concept known as 'carspreading'.

She believes the proposed parking levy would help to discourage people from buying SUVs, and said those who do choose to drive them should be prepared to absorb any additional parking cost.

"I don't think that most people who can afford these really heavy cars are going to be put off by this extra charge," she added.

"(SUVs) do quite a lot more damage and they take up a lot more space and we're all subsiding the harm they cause, so I think it's only fair they should pay a little more."

The proposal has been criticised by the Alliance of British Drivers, which has dismissed it as "virtue signalling" by the council, which it said should "butt out".

Policy director Brian Gregory said an additional charge could put people off visiting Cheltenham, which may shrink the town's economy.

He has also questioned whether the council should be trying to influence the type of cars residents use.

"This is a personal choice issue, and motorists should not be penalised for choosing to drive a SUV," he added.

The council's scrutiny committee will set out the timescale and parameters of the review in the coming weeks.

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