Emissions-based parking permit FAQ

Reading Borough Council permits only.

What is emissions based charging for parking permits?

Reading Borough Council is introducing emissions based charging from 04 February 2026 to help improve local air quality. Under this approach, the cost of a parking permit is linked to the vehicle’s CO₂ emissions, using the DVLA Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) bands. This means higher emission vehicles will pay more, while lower emission vehicles will pay less.

Air pollution is a significant environmental and public health concern. By aligning permit charges with vehicle emissions, the scheme aims to encourage the use of cleaner, greener vehicles and support a healthier community.

What are the charges?

The new charging structure will follow the Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) bands—commonly known as car or road tax—based on CO₂ emissions, as set by the DVLA.

• Charges will only increase for petrol or diesel vehicles that produce more than 151g/km of CO₂.
• Vehicles with lower emissions will not see an increase in permit costs.
• Electric vehicles and ultra-low emission vehicles will continue to benefit from the lowest charges.
• If your vehicle does not have a CO₂ emission figure recorded by the DVLA, you will pay the highest rate. This ensures consistency and fairness across all vehicle types.

For petrol vehicles, there will be a 20% increase for those producing more than 151g/km of CO₂.

For diesel vehicles, the increase will be 25% for those producing more than 151g/km of CO₂.

Please visit the parking permit emissions-based charges page.

Which permits are included?

The emissions-based charging will apply to all standard resident and business permit types. However, the following are not included in this change:

• Visitor permits
• Car park season tickets and
• General car park charges.

Please visit the parking permit emissions-based charges page.

Where can I find my vehicle’s emissions rating?

You can find your vehicle’s CO₂ emissions by using the DVLA’s online vehicle information service or the DVLA V5C logbook.

What if my vehicle does not have a CO₂ figure recorded?

If your vehicle does not have a CO₂ emission figure recorded, you will pay the highest rate. This ensures fairness and consistency.

You should also contact the DVLA.

What happens when I renew my existing permit?

If your vehicle emits more than 151 g/km CO₂, you’ll be charged under the new emissions based structure at renewal. Vehicles below this threshold will not see an increase.

What happens when I apply for a new permit?

All new applications are assessed under the emissions based charging structure. Vehicles emitting over 151 g/km CO₂ will be charged the higher rate.

Will electric or low emission vehicles pay less?

Yes. Vehicles emitting 151 g/km CO₂ or less will not see an increase in charges, which includes low emission and many hybrid vehicles. Electric vehicles fall into the lowest emissions categories.

Are visitor permits affected?

No. Visitor permits are NOT part of the emissions based charging scheme.

If I change my vehicle, what happens to my permit?

You must update your permit with your new vehicle details. The CO₂ emissions of the replacement vehicle will determine whether an emissions based charge applies.

If your new vehicle falls into a higher emissions band, you may be required to pay the difference in cost.

If it falls into a lower emissions band, you may be eligible for a partial refund. Refunds are calculated pro-rata based on the remaining value of your permit, and an administrative charge will be applied.

What if I disagree with the emissions band I’ve been assigned?

You can request a review. You’ll need to provide supporting documentation, such as:

• Updated V5C
• DVLA correspondence
• Manufacturer certification

What consultation took place?

A report proposing emissions based charging for parking permits was presented to the Policy Committee on 20 January 2025, where councillors agreed to carry out public consultations.

An informal consultation ran from 3 March to 30 March 2025, with the results reported to the Traffic Management Subcommittee on 11 June 2025.

A statutory consultation was then held between 25 September and 16 October 2025, and the outcomes were reported to the Policy Committee on 17 November 2025.

You can review the associated reports and meeting minutes on the council’s website:

• Policy Committee Minutes 20 January 2025
• Traffic Management Sub-Committee minutes 11 Jun 2025
• Policy Committee Minutes 17 November 2025

 What evidence is there for introducing emissions based charging?

Poor air quality is one of the biggest environmental risks to people’s health in the UK. Long‑term exposure can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, lung diseases, asthma, and even reduced life expectancy.

National health organisations, including the Royal College of Physicians and the Office for Health Improvement & Disparities, report that air pollution contributes to tens of thousands of deaths each year and places significant pressure on the NHS.

Locally, evidence shows that air pollution also affects Reading residents. A recent assessment estimated that 61 deaths in 2023 among adults over 30 in Reading were linked to particulate air pollution.

Road traffic is one of the biggest contributors to poor air quality. Vehicles release pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, which can harm our lungs and general health. Although CO₂ itself is not a pollutant, higher CO₂ emissions usually mean higher emissions of other harmful pollutants too.

Reading Borough Council has already declared an Air Quality Management Area in parts of the town because pollution levels have been too high. The council’s Air Quality Action Plan (2024) and Transport Strategy 2040 both highlight the need to reduce emissions from vehicles and encourage cleaner travel options such as walking, cycling, buses and low emission vehicles.

Other councils across the UK are already using emissions based charging, with positive results for air quality. Introducing a similar approach in Reading supports our wider aims of creating healthier communities and helping the borough move towards Net Zero by 2030.

In summary, the proposals are designed to encourage people to consider alternative modes of transport, other than the private car or select less polluting cars over time. Where this scheme has been introduced in London boroughs, there has been a reduction in the use of diesel cars of up to 60%.