LONDON, March 26 (UPI) -- Diesel cars, once considered better for the environment, are losing favor in Britain as authorities raise parking fees for them.
The London borough of Kensington and Chelsea is slapping a $24 surcharge on parking permits for diesel vehicles, and other urban areas are expected to follow, The Daily Telegraph reports. The most expensive parking permit, for cars like the diesel Range Rover, will cost $282.
Diesels have become popular for their lower carbon emissions, but a government report delivered this month says they emit too much local particle pollution and nitrogen oxide and dioxide, particularly in residential areas with heavy traffic.
The report calls for promoting "small, modern petrol vehicles, petrol hybrids and electric vehicles in urban areas in place of diesel vehicles."
Diesels currently account for a quarter of cars on British roads and 40 percent of new cars.
Edmund King of the Automobile Association said, "Punishing someone for owning a diesel car that produces up to 20 percent less CO2 than the petrol version is ludicrous. Councils are plundering residents' parking for money to balance their budgets."
