The environmental organization announced initiatives in many German cities to tackle the “flood of oversized vehicles,” calling for higher parking fees.

Citizens can nominate a city in which the environmental organization should submit a formal application for measures against such cars.

In Paris, a referendum approved the city’s plan to triple parking charges for heavy cars. From September, an hour’s parking in the city centre will cost €18 ($19.45) for heavy sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and other bulky vehicles.

The fee would apply to tourists and visitors, however, residents, tradespeople and care services could apply for an exemption. The change would not apply to private car parks.

The German Association of Cities spoke out in favour of locally coordinated decisions on traffic.

“Our city centres are in danger of being choked by oversized city SUVs and lifestyle pick-ups,” said Jürgen Resch, federal managing director of Umwelthilfe.

The environmental organization also wants a resident parking permit to cost at least €360 per year and for vehicles longer than 5 metres there should be no resident parking permit issued at all.