Permits which allow drivers of Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs) to park for free in Sheffield City Centre are set to be scrapped from 31 July.
Sheffield City Council’s transport, regeneration and climate policy committee agreed on Wednesday 30 April to end the green parking permit scheme which had been running since 2005.
The move to scrap the permits has already proved controversial and some motorists have been quick to criticise the decision.
One permit holder, Corrine Evans, from Ridgeway, said: “We have two cars in the household and only ever now use the EV when going into Sheffield City Centre. I feel removing this incentive will most likely increase city centre pollution.”
“The other thing which this scheme has certainly encouraged me and my family to do is to go into the city centre more often so I feel removing the EV free parking will discourage us from going into town.”
The scheme, which aimed to encourage motorists to switch to cleaner vehicles, began offering free permits in 2019, resulting in a surge in applications in recent years.
At the meeting on 30 April, Councillor Alexi Diamond said: “It’s really an urgent report because the level of permits has become completely unsustainable.”
No new permits will be issued or renewed from 31 July 2025 but all permits are valid for 12 months, meaning that the scheme will fully cease on 31 July 2026.
The number of permits issued in the last financial year, 2024/25, was 5,802 – a dramatic increase from the 201 permits which were issued in 2018/19.
A council report noted that, alongside this rise, there has also been a decline in the number of parking spaces, partly because of the regeneration of the city centre.
Councillor Andrew Sangar said: “This was clearly a policy that did make a difference and that did encourage people to move to electric vehicles which is a good thing.
“But, as I’ve said, it’s been too successful and we now need to use that space both for people staying in carparks shorter but particularly for blue badge holders.”
The council said that they will continue to support the switch to zero-emission vehicles by expanding charging infrastructure and introducing the city’s first residential chargers.
