To welcome Cardiff Council's proposed higher parking charges for larger/heavier cars

[LlynTegid]

Cardiff council are planning to have higher parking charges for larger/heavier vehicles (so including most SUVs). I welcome this, wish it was the case everywhere, though a second best option to the separate driving test I would prefer.

AIBU to welcome this?

Peugeot 208 is approximately 90% heavier and the average is at least 30 percent heavier. The problem at the moment is the big push for longer ranges which is increasing the weight. Hopefully we will see future. Advances in battery tech though. I set this as someone who is totally pro electric as well, it's just something to consider with the additional fact that people want bigger and bigger cars, it's quite shocking when you see a salon or hatchback from 30 + years ago compared to a modern equivalent ignoring the fact that large SUVs have become the muddy have cat food so many people.most

Older cars are far better for the environment than building a whole new car.

It’s a short walk away from the main shopping area.

Its much more polluting to build EV cars.

Maybe there should be an environmental tax on that.

Mr L reckoned that you could park a Mk1 mini in the back of the current Clubman model.

They're fucking huge compared to the Mk2 Mini I had in the 70s.

Looks like you wont be able to get a permit for a lot of 'light commercials' - vans etc

While there will be issues for people who are 'on call' all I can say is 'about time'

Did you stop reading after the first few words because it’s not just the husband is it?

Lots of people need SUVs for all sorts of reasons and most of them drive and park them absolutely fine because it’s not actually that hard. The bottom line though is that no one needs to justify their choice of car to anyone, anymore than anyone needs to justify their choice of washing machine or fridge because it’s none of their business.

Engaging with the morons who feel that they can police other people’s consumer choices just encourages them so they’re best ignored.

There is a finite amount of 'on street' parking available.

In order to ensure that as many people as possible are able to park priority is being given to smaller vehicles and large and/or 'commercial' vehicles - vans, small lorries etc will not be given permits.

You can drive what you want its just that you will need to find your own parking for it 'off street'

What is it about that thats so awful?

Your choice of washing machine ir fridge doesn't affect others, your choice of car does

It must also include large heavy cars that aren't SUVs as it seem to be on a weight basis

Yes it does, which is why the energy rating is on there. 🙄

There is no need for a rude eye roll

I live in the Highlands and think this idea would be so good here - I’m sick of all the tourist campervans and motorhomes taking up twice as much space in the car parks!

Yet when I was in Ullapool it was the cars getting ticketed - for parking in the campervan spaces /

not that I can’t see there is a problem with the NC500

and you should treat sensibly parked vans differently from those spreading over what could be 4 or more spaces in an unmarked parking area -with tables and chairs out . Nightmare

The whole thing is utterly ridiculous, so it’s not an eye roll directed at you but a general irritation with the weekly threads trying to police what cars people drive by throwing insults at them, when everything we do (including how many kids we bring into the world and what we eat) has a huge impact on everyone and the planet.

I just want to remind people with SUVs that it’s no one’s business except theirs what they drive, I’ve stayed longer than I intended anyway.

Haha, they are pretty big. I'm a sucker for large cars, but what they've done to Mini is a travesty.

I agree we need cheaper and better public transport.

id worry about those who genuinely need a larger vehicle (what if you have one due to disability but the disabled person isn't always with you?)

likewise if you have 3/4+ kids you can't help needing a bigger car. Or is it ok to essentially impose a 'bigger family tax'?

No, i didn't stop reading, I chose the husband because

1. He is tallest. If he fits, the others will fit.
2. The kids weren't 6+ feet 10 years ago
3. Husband has likely been exposed to more vehicle types.

But please, don't let that stop you from diving right in with your sass.

You're so edgy calling me a moron and saying the vest tack is to ignore us as you simultaneously engage with someone you don't think is worth your time. 👏

But all are more polluting than modern smaller vehicles, which is surely a better comparison? And then a modern E-SUV is far less polluting than a modern petrol or diesel SUV. Diesels being the worst by far regardless of age.

Oh please!

There are 35 million drivers in the UK and less that one percent are involved any accidents. The "smaller car you hit" is nonsense. If the driver of a "small car" was really worried about such an event, they could just buy a bigger car themselves. They don't, because it's a non issue.

It’s a reasonable idea and I suspect it wlll be copied. If only to address the budgets for filing potholes!

It's a ridiculous policy.

And it isn't about the environment or your safety. It's a stelath tax.

If it really was an environmental issue, they would just ban large vehicles, not tax them. They will set the levy at a rate that won't stop people buying a large SUV, but just high enough that paying it will be less hassle than changing your car. An easy tax grab.

To all the people suggesting older cars pollute more or if they are concerned about safety should buy a bigger, newer car has it ever occurred to you that an SUV is much more expensive? That's why its a status symbol in some circles and a big reason people buy them. So if you can afford an SUV presumably you can afford to pay more for a parking space. I own neither, but I'd rather be hit by a small car than an SUV!

... and I was responding to previous poster who used safety to justify her SUV. You might want to let @Jamesblonde2 know they don't need their SUV, as I've already suggested.

It's clear from the evidence that an SUV is more of a threat to others e.g.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/11/ever-rising-height-car-bonnets-suv-threat-to-children-report

I'm sure I also read they were more dangerous for SUV occupants as as they are more likely to roll over, but that's a risk SUV drivers accept for themselves.

It’s being generally reported as an EV issue, but if you read through the coverage, then it does become clear that’s it’s an SUV / larger car issue. Smaller electric vehicles won’t be affected, and some larger petrol / diesel SUVs are heavy enough to cause problems.

The Institution of Structural Engineers has issued guidance on strengthening car parks due to this - they’ve also said that they expect some car parks just to introduce a weight limit as that would be an easier and cheaper solution.

It’s quite an issue to be hiding in plain sight when I think of how many car parks local to me could potentially be affected. People complain enough at Christmas when the car parks get full - having some taken out of use because SUVs are too heavy for them would really cause an upset.