Motorists with higher-polluting vehicles will face increased charges for on-street parking in a UK town from the start of February. Fresh emission-based fees will be introduced for on-street pay and display parking as well as residents' parking permits, with the revised charges taking effect from Monday, February 2.

Reading Borough Council announced on its Facebook page: "The charges are part of the Council's drive to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality in Reading for the health and wellbeing of residents. There will be a sliding scale of charges based on the vehicle's emission rating, starting at 151g/km (grams per kilometre).

"We anticipate around 50 per cent of cars will fall into the lowest category and will see no change, and that a further 25 per cent will fall into the first band and face a small increase."

The fees do not extend to off-street parking at residential properties. The pricing structure operates by categorising vehicles, including cars and vans, into emission bands, the LDRS reports.

Electric, hybrid and cleaner emission vehicles will continue paying parking fees, though at reduced rates compared to those driving more polluting cars. Costs will only rise for petrol or diesel vehicles emitting more than 151g/km of CO2.

Emission categories have been established across six distinct tiers.

0 - 150

151 - 170

171 - 190

191 - 225

226 - 255

Over 255

Vehicle owners can determine their car's C02 emissions by entering the registration number on the DVLA website.