SUV Parking in Paris. Welcome to the madness!

225 Euros? This is logically what Parisian SUV drivers in violation should pay in a few months.

Whether it concerns SUV parking or much more significant issues, one of the foundations of our democracy is the right to vote and respecting the verdict of the ballots. It is no longer the time to debate this vote “More or Less SUVs in Paris” since the people have spoken, choosing Less… or For, since that is what was noted on the winning ballot. More or Less For? Not easy because on the losing ballot it was marked Against. Against SUVs, that wasn’t the idea? If we must respect the ballot results, nothing prevents us from criticizing the featherheads who organized this poll, which we have done in detail, broadly, and further, just as we will continue to do.

78,121 Parisians, or 5.68% of the 1.3 million voters concerned, with an even lower turnout than during the first vote against shared scooters (7.45%), have delivered their verdict. A special parking fee will soon be introduced in Paris for the heaviest vehicles. So all SUVs as indicated on the posters? Well, no… Conversely, many sedans will be affected. Oh, you didn’t explain that? Take your vehicle registration document, look at the G1 field which indicates the curb weight or empty weight (MV), and you will know.

A Tripled Parking Cost

If your combustion or hybrid vehicle weighs more than 1.6 tons or if your electric vehicle weighs more than 2 tons, you will now have to pay 18 euros for one hour of parking in the center of Paris (1st to 11th arrondissement) compared to 6 euros currently, and 12 euros for outer arrondissements (12th to 20th arrondissement), compared to 4 euros today. Whether it’s an SUV or not doesn’t matter; this was just for marketing purposes.

Paris residents, who were the only ones able to vote, will be exempt. Professionals with registered vehicles, taxis, and people with reduced mobility will also be exempt, and quite happily, one could say!

Currently, failure to pay the parking fee exposes you to an FPS (Post Parking Fee). It is no longer a fine or a penalty but a fee. In short, you must pay a hefty fee if you don’t pay the small fee, for example when running your errands… The FPS is 75 euros in the 1st to 11th districts and 50 euros in districts 12 to 20. It corresponds to six hours of parking, which is the maximum allowed for residents according to the official Paris City Hall text. We believe this isn’t fair, even with the 30% discount for payment within 96 hours, but that’s not the most important issue.

Better to get a ticket than pay?

The real question is whether paying 18 euros an hour remains worthwhile compared to hoping not to get a fine, sorry, a FPS of 75 euros. Admit that you’ll ask yourself this if you plan to stay parked for a long time.

But a sneaky move by Paris’s City Hall that you didn’t see coming could change the game. Since the FPS is indexed to the hourly fee, it should increase proportionally for heavy vehicles! But that was never explained anywhere. So, a logical penalty of 225 euros for non-compliant parking on a space specifically designated for parking!

If you have to keep using your heavy vehicle to take your kids to school or deliver equipment to a client with your personal car, here’s what you might be risking. Who will be filling the coffers?

The reform will be presented at the Paris Council in May for implementation on September 1, 2024. So no panic; there’s still time to see how things develop.

But already, don’t be sheep. If you must use your car, prefer Parisian car parks, which are often much cheaper per hour than street parking. Get to know the car-sharing companies that are eager to serve this market and offer particularly attractive rates. And of course, try to avoid using your car whenever possible because alas, this madness at Paris City Hall totally muddles the common-sense message we hold dearly here at Mobiwisy.