Introduction

A unique scheme that offers monetary incentives in the form of cheaper parking in Greater Manchester to drivers who switch to low emission vehicles in Manchester.

Objectives and target audience

The aim of Manchester Green Badge Parking was to encourage the uptake of low carbon emissions vehicle, and to help stimulate the demand in this area of the market. It was also envisaged as providing local authorities with a means of promoting the use of low carbon vehicles in their districts.
It is the first scheme of its type in the UK and aims to encourage drivers to switch to lower emission petrol or diesel cars rather than simply penalise those that run ‘gas guzzlers’. This method was chosen as it was thought the most effective in achieving reductions of CO2 emissions caused by car use. The monetary incentives were chosen to appeal to a wide audience, including residents who, through lack of underground parking must use a NCP car park. Workers who use their car to commute are also a major audience for the scheme, many of which could save up to £900 per year if they switched to a more environmentally sensitive vehicle.

Financial Resources and Partners involved

The scheme has been developed in partnership with Manchester is my Planet, a programme of activities aiming to help the whole of Greater Manchester become a cleaner and greener urban area through emitting less CO2, as well as Manchester City Council and NCP car parks, who provide the spaces for the scheme.
The scheme was intended to be self-financing and therefore should not incur a loss of revenue for NCP Manchester Ltd. The reduced price of a season ticket for the low emission vehicle will be covered by a small increase in the price for conventional vehicle owners.

Process

After a market research exercise, a proposal was submitted to NCP Manchester Ltd and was accepted in principal. NCP Manchester Ltd undertook a feasibility study as part of a pricing structure review and once the scheme was finally instigated, a high-profile media launch was conducted.
Low emission vehicle owners apply to their local authority for a Green Badge, allowing them to park their car within any of the car parking spaces operated by the authority for the length of time governed by local regulations. Though issued by one of the ten local authorities within Greater Manchester it was intended that a Green Badge is valid throughout the region. Only the registered keeper of the vehicle may apply for a Green Badge and must provide the following documentation: proof of vehicle’s low carbon emission status, an MOT certificate, Driver’s License, and appropriate insurance details. The permit, once issued, are valid for 12 months. When this time period has elapsed, the registered owner must renew their permit by providing the information, as above.

Results

The Green Badge Parking Scheme has had limited uptake in its first stages. However, it was announced a winner at the ‘Low Carbon Road Transport Challenge in 2006.

Critical Success Factors / Challenges

The Manchester Green Badge Parking scheme illustrates the importance of the ‘small steps’ approach to lowering CO2 output; the concept being that lots of people making small changes and adopting a greener lifestyle will lead to a significant reduction in Greater Manchester’s collective carbon footprint. The programme is helping individuals, councils and businesses adopt lower CO2 practices through an innovative scheme that provide incentives and increase awareness of the impact of car emissions, and that lowering these can help towards living a low carbon lifestyle.
The concept is fairly straightforward and one that, if successfully demonstrated, could be replicated in congested urban areas nationally. The measures introduced in the scheme can also be shared with others to encourage the undertaking of such a project elsewhere. Not only would the project be transferable regionally, its benefits would impact more widely. The scheme could also be used as an alternative financial incentive for areas of the country where a congestion charge is not in place. An intention of the project was to increase knowledge of the low carbon and cleaner vehicle market in the UK, and subsequently boost the number of sales in the future. It is recognised that this is a long-term goal, but it is all part of increasing the proportion of such vehicles on UK roads.