Skip to content
Policy & Market
United Kingdom

Reading introduces emission-based parking charges from 2 February with diesel surcharge

By Eve

Reading Borough Council will launch emission-based on-street parking charges on 2 February, applying a 20% tariff for petrol and 25% for diesel vehicles emitting 151g/km CO2 or above. The council estimates around 50% of cars will remain in the lowest price band with no increase, while a further 25% will see a small rise. Charges will apply to pay-and-display bays and residents' permits, with vehicle emissions data drawn from DVLA records.

Why it matters

The policy creates a financial incentive for lower emission vehicles, potentially accelerating EV adoption among Reading residents and commuters who rely on on-street parking. Charge-point operators may see increased demand as drivers seek to avoid higher parking costs tied to internal combustion engine vehicles.

Source

Original title
“Emission-based parking charges coming in February”
Published
26 January 2026 (date approximate)
Updated
22 September 2026

Related news

UK Government weighs tariffs on Chinese EVs as Burnham prepares EU talks on Made in Europe rules

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has asked officials to examine potential tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle imports, according to reports in the Daily Telegraph, The Times and Financial Times. Prime Minister Andy Burnham is considering the move ahead of meetings with EU leaders, as the UK seeks inclusion in the EU's Made in Europe programme to avoid trade barriers when the rules are debated at year end. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has warned that exclusion from Made in Europe provisions would deny UK built vehicles access to EU incentives and member state procurement, putting domestic production at a competitive disadvantage in its largest market.

Why it matters

Any tariff regime or exclusion from EU procurement frameworks could reshape the competitive landscape for charge point operators serving fleets, as Chinese EV brands now rank among the UK's most popular purchases. UK manufacturers fear reciprocal Chinese tariffs would reduce domestic vehicle demand and sourcing of EU components, potentially affecting the scale and location of fleet electrification projects.

United Kingdom
8 Oct 2026

UK Government (uk) · Source

Conservation areas excluded from new EV pavement charging rules in England

Electric vehicle owners in England's approximately 10,000 conservation areas will not benefit from new permitted development rights allowing charging cables to cross pavements without planning permission, following a late change to legislation coming into force on 21 October. The Times reports these areas are home to around 6.8 million people, with an estimated 3.4 million without driveways. Cross pavement charging solutions in conservation areas will still require planning permission, while residents elsewhere in England can install domestic EV chargepoints and use pavement embedded cable channels without prior approval.

Why it matters

The exclusion creates a two tier regulatory landscape for residential charging deployment, potentially slowing infrastructure rollout in historic urban centres where off street parking is often scarce. Charge point operators and local authorities will need to navigate separate planning processes for conservation area installations, adding cost and complexity to projects targeting on street charging demand.

United Kingdom
8 Oct 2026

Source

India joins US-led 14-economy bloc to tackle excess capacity in EVs and batteries

India has signed a joint ministerial statement with the US and 13 other economies to address structural excess capacity in five manufacturing sectors, including electric vehicles and batteries, alongside chemicals, foundational semiconductors and solar panels. The initiative, formalised on Wednesday in Washington during an OECD Trade Committee meeting, commits signatories to establish dedicated sectoral platforms and meet at technical level before December 2026 to draft terms of reference and exchange non-confidential data on production imbalances. Other signatories include Argentina, Australia, Canada, the EU, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Poland, Türkiye and the UK.

Why it matters

The bloc's focus on EV and battery overcapacity signals potential trade measures or policy shifts that could reshape global supply chains, affecting procurement costs and vendor availability for charging infrastructure operators. India's participation may influence domestic manufacturing incentives and import dynamics for EV charging equipment and battery storage systems.

India
United States
Global
8 Oct 2026

Source