"The city of Madrid is introducing smart parking meters that will slap a surcharge on cars that pollute more and reduce parking charges for efficient vehicles," reports Ashifa Kassam. The system will be the first of its kind in the world, according to the article.
The details on how the pricing scheme works: "Starting on 1 July, the price a motorist pays to park in the city streets will be based on a complex table governed by the engine and the year of the car. Hybrids will pay 20% less to park, while a diesel car made in 2001 will see a 20% mark-up. Electronic cars will park for free."
The head of the city's sustainability division, Elisa Barahona, is quoted in the story saying that it's fair for drivers of cars that pollute more to pay more.
"The parking meters are part of a wider set of measures designed to improve the city's air quality, she said, including energy efficient buses in the city centre and a bike-sharing programme slated to begin in June."
