The new schemes will see vehicles being charged based on their levels of CO2 emissions, with vehicles that produce lower levels of CO2 charged less in comparison to those that produce more. According to the council, the city of Westminster in London has some of the highest carbon emissions and worst air quality of any national local authority.

The changes are designed to help Westminster reach its goal of a Net Zero City by 2040 and tackle poor air quality. The council has already installed more than 2,500 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the city, which is said to be more than any other local authority in the UK.

The aim is to encourage residents and people who drive into the city to switch to low polluting vehicles and improve air quality. Westminster residents with an EV will pay the equivalent of £1.50 a week to park outside their home, and visitors with EVs who pay to park in Westminster will pay less than those driving petrol or diesel cars.

In addition, the council is launching a consultation to hear the views of people who use the new charging schemes.

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, cabinet member for city management and air quality, Westminster City Council, said: “Until now, pay to park charges for EVs in Westminster have been extremely low, and to keep up with the increasing demand for EVs the council is moving to an emissions-based charging system.

“The new scheme will support the growth of electric vehicles in the city while keeping charges fair, proportionate, and as low as possible.”

Westminster joins several other local authorities in England in introducing an emissions-based parking scheme, such as Hackney Council and Bath & North East Somerset Council, as the popularity of EVs continues to grow.