Cardiff, the capital of Wales, has stepped into the national spotlight by becoming the first city in the United Kingdom to approve a bold new parking policy targeting large vehicles, especially SUVs. On October 16, 2025, the city council’s cabinet voted to implement higher parking charges for drivers of vehicles weighing more than 2,400kg—a move designed to tackle congestion, improve air quality, and encourage more sustainable transport options in the city.
The plan, which will be phased in over the next decade, is part of a comprehensive overhaul of Cardiff’s parking system. According to BBC News, the city will be divided into three distinct parking management areas: the City and Civic Centre, the Inner Area, and the Outer Area. Each zone comes with its own set of rules and restrictions, and the changes are expected to have far-reaching impacts on residents, commuters, students, and businesses alike.
Under the new scheme, vehicles over 2,400kg—including many popular SUVs and so-called "American-style" cars—will be subject to a surcharge when applying for parking permits. Those weighing more than 3,500kg will not be eligible for permits at all. While the exact amount of the surcharge has yet to be finalized, the council said it will be determined during a forthcoming traffic regulation order (TRO) consultation. Currently, a standard permit in Cardiff costs £35 per year for the first car and £90 for a second, but these figures are expected to increase for heavier vehicles.
Cardiff Council’s cabinet member for climate change, strategic planning, and transport, Cllr Dan De’Ath, explained the rationale behind the move during Thursday’s meeting. "Large parts of our inner city are absolutely saturated with cars," he said, according to Nation.Cymru. He emphasized that the surcharge is aimed at big SUVs that are "much larger than your average car," and pointed to research suggesting that the chances of a child dying in a collision are "grossly inflated" if struck by such a vehicle. "We don’t think it is unreasonable for drivers of those vehicles to have to pay a little more," De’Ath added.
The leader of Cardiff Council, Cllr Huw Thomas, echoed these sentiments, expressing hope that the new parking rules would ease the burden of commuter traffic on residents living near the city centre. "We are saying use the cars that exist within the city centre rather than impacting some of our poorest areas," Thomas stated. He also promised that any revenue generated from the new charges would be reinvested to improve Cardiff’s transport infrastructure, a move intended to benefit residents and visitors alike.
The plan has not been without its critics. Conservative politicians have been particularly vocal, with Andrew RT Davies, Member of the Senedd for South Wales Central, labeling the proposal an "SUV tax." Davies told Sky News, "This is Labour’s latest crusade in their war on motorists, following hot on the heels of the 20mph policy. So-called progressive activists may think we can cycle everywhere but that isn’t the reality for those of us who live outside metropolitan centres. These latest anti-car proposals show how out of touch the political class are." A Reform UK Wales spokesperson added, "The Labour policy of making misery for motorists needs to end."
Liberal Democrat leader at Cardiff Council, Cllr Rodney Berman, raised concerns about the clarity of the proposals, noting that some residents found the plan confusing and that there remained "an awful lot of questions". Cllr John Lancaster, leader of the Conservative group at Cardiff Council, went further, accusing the council of hypocrisy and questioning the "arbitrary" 2,400kg cutoff. "A vehicle is either safe or it isn’t," he said, and warned that the new measures could "make it harder for people to access the city centre," potentially harming high street businesses.
Business leaders and local stakeholders have expressed apprehension as well. Kathryn Williams, managing director of KEW Planning consultancy, told BBC News, "I think they need to have the infrastructure in place." She warned that people might not welcome a "double-whammy" of higher car tax and increased parking charges, and stressed the need for better public transport options. "I would use the train far more if they ran a bit later," she said, noting safety issues with cycling in parts of the city.
Residents and motorists have been divided. Some, like Peter North, a van driver, worry that the changes unfairly penalize tradespeople who rely on larger vehicles for work. "I need this vehicle for my work. It is a necessity. I use this van for my tools. I can't be expected to take the bus everywhere," he argued. Others, like student Joe Liston, pointed out the challenges for students who need cars for jobs across the region, especially with visitor permit allowances for student-only properties being halved. "How do you expect me to do that without a car?" he asked. Meanwhile, some residents acknowledge the logic of the plan: "It makes sense, it takes up more space on the road," one local said, though she also cautioned against punishing those who need larger vehicles for their jobs.
The council’s consultation process was extensive, drawing 6,381 responses. Feedback led to several changes, such as merging the Bay and Outer areas for simpler administration, increasing flexibility for visitor permits, and revising eligibility for student and business permits. As reported by Sky News, daily and hourly visitor permits will now be available, with blue badge holders and carers receiving priority.
The new parking management areas are designed to reflect the city’s diverse needs. In the City and Civic Centre, parking will be prioritized for blue badge holders, taxis, buses, and deliveries, with no residential permits allowed—a move intended to discourage private car use in the most congested parts of Cardiff. The Inner Area will feature a mix of permit-holder bays and pay-and-stay bays, with parking controls in effect from 8am to 10pm daily, but business permits will not be issued here. The Outer Area will allow all permit types, with parking controls and hours determined in consultation with local communities.
Additional permit types will be introduced, including essential service permits for NHS and council staff, community permits for places of worship and schools, and carer permits for both professional and unpaid carers. Motorcyclists will also now require permits to park in resident bays. Diesel vehicle drivers will face surcharges to encourage a shift to less polluting vehicles.
Cardiff Council maintains that the new plan will "improve the quality of life for residents and visitors," prioritizing those who need parking most and supporting the city’s climate goals. "This plan is about making Cardiff a better place to live, work and visit for years to come," said Cllr Dan De’Ath.
As the city prepares for the next round of consultations and the eventual rollout of the new parking regime, all eyes will be on Cardiff to see whether this pioneering policy can deliver on its promises—or if the critics’ fears will prove justified.
