Tübingen: Boris Palmer announces high parking fees for SUV drivers

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Tübingen's Mayor Boris Palmer

Photo: Pressefoto ULMER / imago images / ULMER Pressebildagentur

Tübingen's Lord Mayor Boris Palmer (Greens) wants to massively increase resident parking fees in his city - for climate protection. According to the plans, residents with large cars such as SUVs should pay the most - instead of the previous 30 euros per year, it should be 360 ​​euros in the future, as can be seen from the documents for the next meeting of the Tübingen committee to update the climate protection program on Thursday. First the news portal »t-online« reported. At the beginning of July, the state government of Baden-Württemberg cleared the way: Cities in the southwest are allowed to charge significantly more fees for residential parking.

In addition to owners of large cars, drivers of smaller cars and electric cars will also pay more in Tübingen in the future.

For cars up to the middle class or minivans, 180 euros per year will be due in the future.

For owners of electric cars, the fee should be 120 euros per year.

Anyone who receives social benefits should receive a 50 percent discount.

Palmer's declared goal: climate neutrality by 2030

"We want to be climate-neutral as a city by 2030," said Palmer to the news portal "t-online". "Local transport must be massively expanded and made significantly cheaper." The city also wants to finance this through parking fees. Palmer hopes that this will not only generate a lot of money for climate protection, but also fewer cars in Tübingen. In the future, residents' parking will therefore be subject to charges in the entire core city, but this will be decided at a later date, according to Palmer.

Most recently, Palmer hit the headlines because of a racist Facebook comment.

In Palmer's comment, ex-national soccer player Aogo was insulted.

During the discussion, Palmer wrote: "The Aogo is a bad racist." He also used a racist term for the sexual organ of a black man, also referring to Aogo.

After criticism rose, Palmer claimed he meant what he said ironically.

lmd / dpa