Funchal’s Municipal Assembly approved an amendment to the municipal Fees Regulation this morning, ending free parking for electric vehicles in on-street spaces and car parks managed by the municipality. Electric vehicles will instead receive a 50% discount on the standard parking tariff.
Mayor Jorge Carvalho said the exemption was introduced when electric vehicles were first gaining ground, to encourage drivers to choose less polluting cars. He argued that this initial phase had now passed and that the drawbacks of free parking needed to be addressed, particularly vehicles occupying spaces for long periods.
“When parking was free, spaces were often occupied by the same user and the same car. Charging will allow different users to use them,” he said.
Carvalho maintained that the change would not discourage electric vehicle ownership, but would improve the availability of parking spaces for other drivers, including other electric vehicle drivers.
The amendment passed with votes in favour from the PSD and CDS. The JPP voted against, while Chega, the PS and IL abstained.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
Views: 45
