The City of Paris is organizing a vote on the place of SUVs in the capital on February 4th. The vote will be open to all Parisians registered on the electoral lists.
On February 4, 2024, Parisians will have the opportunity to vote in a new vote. This follows the one organized on electric scooters (with more than 100,000 participants last April). Paris is giving a voice to all those registered on the electoral lists.
The consultation will focus on a significant increase in non-residential parking fees for SUVs and 4X4 vehicles in Paris.
Why a consultation on SUVs? The consultation aims to address several issues of safety, public space sharing, and pollution. Over the past decade, the size of cars has increased in Paris, while the overall number of cars in the city has decreased. This is due to the rise in sales of SUVs and 4X4s in France.
Since three decades, the average size and weight of cars in France have increased, taking up more space on roads, sidewalks, and public spaces in general. In less than thirty years, cars have increased in weight by nearly 250 kilograms. The average weight of a vehicle was 975 kg in 1990 and is now 1233 kg.
In addition to their increasing presence in public spaces, SUVs consume more fuel than a standard vehicle and, due to their weight and manufacturing process, are also more polluting. It’s important to note that pollution causes an average of 7,900 premature deaths each year in the Île-de-France region according to the WHO (2019 figures).
Finally, due to their size, SUVs are also more dangerous for pedestrians: in the event of a collision with a child, adult, or elderly person, accidents involving an SUV are twice as deadly for pedestrians compared to a standard car.
For better sharing of public space in Paris, reducing pollution, and decreasing accidents, the City will consult Parisians on the increase in non-residential parking fees for SUVs and 4X4 vehicles on February 4th.
Who will be affected? Owners of a combustion or rechargeable hybrid vehicle weighing 1.6 T or more, owners of an electric vehicle weighing 2T or more, non-resident visitors with an SUV exceeding the weight limit, and Parisian residents and sedentary professionals with an SUV exceeding the weight limit outside their residential parking area will be affected.
Who will not be affected? Parisian residents and sedentary professionals parked in their residential area, taxi drivers at designated stations, artisans, healthcare professionals, and those eligible for the pro rate. People with reduced mobility and holders of an Inclusion Mobility Card – parking, owners of a combustion or rechargeable hybrid vehicle weighing less than 1.6 T, owners of an electric vehicle weighing less than 2T.
Parking will remain free for everyone in the evenings from 8 p.m., on Sundays, and public holidays.
The vote will be held on February 4, 2024, in all districts of the capital from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Additionally, for the first time, district town halls will have the option to submit a local interest question to the February 4, 2024 vote.
Who can vote? All Parisians registered on the electoral lists, whether French or EU citizens, can participate in the vote. The deadline to register is January 8, 2024.
Where to vote? Voting will take place in the district corresponding to the address on the electoral lists. Each district will have one or more voting locations.
Will proxy voting be possible? No, proxy voting will not be possible due to the municipal status of the vote. A control commission will be set up to ensure the smooth running of the vote.
The rules for the vote will be available from December 15 on Paris.fr.
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