Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: April 30, 2025

Purpose:

Content: 7.1 This report seeks approval for the Council to close the Green Parking Permit scheme. The Council would no longer issue new, or renew existing, Green Parking permits from 31st July 2025.   Sheffield City Council is working towards Sheffield becoming a zero-carbon city by 2030 and supports the transition to zero emission vehicles alongside the uptake of walking, cycling and the use of public transport. This scheme was an appropriate part of this support when it was introduced twenty years ago, but the ultra-low and zero-emission vehicle market in the city and nationally has changed significantly since the permit was first launched. Many more people have now made the switch and the context for supporting cleaner vehicles is now very different with the focus on the remaining key barriers to adoption including the availability of accessible and reliable electric vehicle charging infrastructure. This change reflects the significant increase in the number of zero-emission vehicles now on Sheffield’s streets and aligns with the national introduction of Vehicle Excise Duty for electric, zero or low emission cars, vans, and motorcycles—ensuring all drivers make a fairer tax contribution. It also responds to the rapid uptake of ultra-low and zero emission vehicles, which is projected to continue in the years ahead.     7.2 RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee:-   (a)  approves that the Council no longer issue new, or renew existing, green parking permits from 31st July 2025;   (b)  notes that the Council supports the transition to zero emission vehicles alongside walking, cycling and the use of public transport;   (c)  further notes the work that the Council is doing to help support the transition to zero emission vehicles; and   (d)  requests that the joint Task and Finish Group between Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee and Waste and Street Scene Policy Committee develop an Investment Plan to ensure that any surplus income generated is used in an appropriate manner including for projects breaking down the barriers to electric vehicle ownership with the allocation of £125k towards improved electric vehicle charging infrastructure.     7.3 Reasons for Decision     7.3.1 Ending the green parking permit scheme, with the Council no longer issuing new, or renewing existing, green parking permits from 31st July 2025 is proposed in order to support a fairer and more just transition to zero emission vehicles as the technology matures and uptake increases. Through projects to break down the remaining barriers, alongside improvements to public transport and efforts to encourage walking and cycling, the Council will help to drive down emissions and support more sustainable, inclusive travel across the city.     7.3.2 The Council will continue to target key barriers to the switch to electric and other zero emission vehicles such as the sustainable roll out of infrastructure. Exemptions from pay and display tariffs applying to blue badge holders and motorcycles will continue to apply.     7.4 Alternatives Considered and Rejected     7.4.1 Alternative Option 1: Continue availability of Green Permit parking indefinitely (no charge).   This option was rejected due to the rapidly rising number of vehicles being licenced to which it would apply and marginal impact that the incentive is expected to have on the transition to electric vehicles as the market matures. Continuing with the scheme indefinitely whilst the number of ultra low emission vehicles continues to rise rapidly would be likely to start to negatively impact the efficient use of space and uptake of more active modes such as walking, cycling and use of public transport (which as highlighted in the Climate Implications should be avoided). In addition parking costs would be met disproportionally by those who may not yet be able to afford an electric (or other ultra low emission) vehicle or experience other barriers.     7.4.2 Alternative Option 2: Continue availability of Green Permit parking indefinitely with associated fee.   This option was rejected as whilst the fee could be utilised to pay for the administration of the scheme and manage demand to some extent, as the cost of battery electric vehicles falls it would be unlikely to fully mitigate the negative impact on efficient use of space and uptake of more active modes such as walking, cycling and use of public transport accessing the City Centre. It would also still mean that parking costs were met disproportionally by those who may not yet be able to afford an electric (or other ultra low emission) vehicle or experience other barriers.     7.4.3 Alternative Option 3: Issue only a set number of green parking permits per year / reduce the number of permits available over time (with / without charge).   This option was rejected as it could be seen as an unfair benefit available only to some. It would also be unlikely to incentivise the switch to electric vehicles once the set number of permits were taken.     7.4.4 Alternative Option 4: Introduce a time limit for parking with a green parking permit (with / without charge)   A short stay time limit could be set to reduce the impact of the permits, meaning that they could no longer be utilised by (all day) commuters. There could however still be an impact in relation to journeys into the city centre for other purposes and it could create confusion in certain circumstances where parking is allowed for different periods to which the permits could be used.   This option would somewhat mitigate the impact on parking costs being met disproportionally by those who may not yet be able to afford an electric (or other ultra low emission) vehicle or experience other barriers.     7.4.5 Alternative Option 5: Amend scope of scheme (car parks only).   The scope of the scheme could be amended so that permits could only be utilised in SCC car parks and not on street. Whilst this would help reduce pressure on on street parking in certain locations it would not reduce the impact of the permits on the more efficient use of space and uptake of more active modes such as walking, cycling and use of public transport. It could also result in additional pressure on the availability of parking in certain locations. It would also still mean that parking costs were met disproportionally by those who may not yet be able to afford an electric (or other ultra low emission) vehicle or experience other barriers.     7.4.6 Alternative Option 6: Amend scope of to zero emission vehicles only.   The scope of the scheme could be amended so that permits were only available to the very cleanest vehicles (for example battery electric vehicles (BEV) would still be eligible but hybrids would not).   Whilst this would help reduce the impacts outlined in the very short term by reducing the number of vehicles eligible, BEV vehicle numbers are projected to rise rapidly over the coming years resulting in the same issues as outlined in the report.   The impact of the permits on the switch to zero-emission vehicles is expected to be minimal given how upfront costs are expected to fall and BEVs are now are a less immature technology.