Sheffield City Council has announced it will scrap its green parking permit scheme, which has allowed ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) to park for free in council-operated pay-and-display bays since 2005.

Originally launched to encourage the adoption of cleaner vehicles, the scheme granted ULEV drivers free access to city centre parking. 

Over the past 20 years, the number of qualifying vehicles has surged, creating growing challenges for the council.

The council’s Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee agreed that the scheme is no longer sustainable.

Councillor Alexi Diamond said: “5,802 permits have been issued, but there are fewer than 1,800 parking spaces available in the city centre.”

Jenny Wood, Senior Transport Planner, ensured that ending the scheme will not affect the ongoing rise in electric vehicle ownership in Sheffield. 

Ms Wood said: “The transition to ULEVs is continuing at pace, and this change reflects the new reality.”

However, there are many not satisfied by the removal of free parking permits. Tom Thurston, 23, an EV owner, said that the council were “just removing another incentive for buying an electric vehicle,” and warned that it may discourage future adopters.

Mr Thurston added: “We’re already paying increased tax and road fund licence fees. Now, no free parking too?”

The council stated that the current scheme has led to increased levels of congestion, with permit holders often occupying limited city centre spaces for extended periods and even days at a time. 

Councillor Andrew Sangar also pointed out that Blue Badge holders have been directly affected, struggling to find parking which was required for daily activities in the centre.

The council outlined they would begin stripping permits in July 2025 with all permits being stripperd by the following July the next year.

Despite scrapping the scheme, the council says it remains committed to its environmental goals. 

Recent steps include the installation of nine residential EV charging points as well as a plan to invest £125,000 in expanding the city’s EV charging infrastructure.

This announcement comes only six years on from the council’s declaration of a climate emergency in Sheffield.

The 2019 declaration saw a series of ambitious initiatives set out in an attempt to reach the goal of making Sheffield a zero-carbon city.