Drivers of SUVs to face higher parking fees in Bordeaux

Drivers with larger and heavier vehicles - including SUVs (sport utility vehicles) - must pay more to park in Bordeaux from May. The decision follows a similar move in Paris.

The new 30% higher rate will apply for seasonal passes and hourly rates for larger vehicles parking on the street from May 2, 2025, with an exemption for professional vehicles. 

It affects thermal vehicles weighing over 1,600kg and over 1,900kg for hybrids and electric vehicles.

Affected cars include the Peugeot 2008 and Audi Q3 as well as electric vehicles such as the Tesla Model Y.

Around 10% of Bordeaux residents and 14% of visitors have these vehicles according to the Bordeaux mairie.

The mairie, led by the ecologist Pierre Hurmic, attributed the decision to the “greater ecological impact” of these vehicles. It said they “generate more pollution and increase CO₂ emissions”, result in “more rapid deterioration of roads” due to their weight and “occupy more public space (...) due to their bulky size that reduces parking capacity”.

In addition, the marie pointed out that SUVs in particular are significantly more dangerous, saying that “pedestrians are up to twice as likely to be killed in a collision with an SUV than with a standard car.”

The increased rate, which was announced by the Bordeaux mairie on January 17, will be applied automatically based on vehicle registration numbers.

The 30% higher rate pales in comparison to the increase applied on SUVs in Paris, where drivers of larger vehicles must pay up to three times more for parking than those of small cars since October 1.