Basel has started to charge parking rates according to car size from Jan 1, making it the first city in Switzerland to introduce such a policy.
The move aims to discourage the use of large vehicles in on-street parking and promote the use of underground car parks to free up space for bicycle lanes and green areas.
Under the new system, cars under 3.90 metres will be charged CHF 332 (RM1,649), while those measuring between 3.90m and 4.90m will face an annual fee of CHF 422 (RM2,091). Vehicles exceeding 4.90m will pay CHF 512 (RM2,537). These fees are set to rise further, with the largest vehicles expected to pay CHF 740 (RM3,667) annually by 2027.
Previously, all vehicle owners pay a standard fee of CHF 284 (RM1,408) per year.
According to a 2024 report by Swiss media SWI swissinfo.ch, the Basel government had argued that parking fees in the city had been significantly lower than in other parts of Switzerland.
Simon Kettner, project manager at the Basel Department of Construction and Transport, said that a small car should not be charged the same as a large camper van, citing fairness as a key consideration.
Basel’s initiative aligns with trends seen in other European cities seeking to curb vehicle emissions and reclaim urban space for more sustainable transport options.
Cities in France, including Paris, Grenoble, and Lyon, have introduced weight-based pricing systems that penalise heavier vehicles, regardless of their engine type. Bordeaux is also set to adopt similar measures this year.
With half of all new cars in Basel being SUVs, the city’s new policy could serve as a model for other Swiss cities such as Geneva and Lausanne, which are reportedly considering similar parking reforms.
