Certain cars may face higher parking fees

Drivers in Liverpool may one day pay different parking fees depending on their vehicle’s emissions.

Liverpool City Council has confirmed that around 80 new parking meters being installed across the city are equipped with technology that could apply emissions-based charges. The system, which can link to Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) data, would allow charges to be adjusted according to the type of car being parked.

Council leaders described the measure as a “future aspiration” rather than an immediate plan, and no timeline has been set for its introduction. Similar schemes are already in place in some parts of London.

Cashless parking push

Alongside exploring emissions-based charging, the council is reviewing how motorists pay for parking. The plan includes phasing out cash payments in areas where they are rarely used.

Currently, about 30% of parking sessions in Liverpool are still paid with coins or notes. However, the council said moving more machines to cashless-only payments would cut maintenance costs and free up staff resources by reducing the need to service older equipment.