Free Itchen Bridge passage for electric vehicle drivers now live

Owners of fully electric vehicles can now cross Itchen Bridge free of charge with a SmartCities card. The electric vehicle concession forms part of Southampton City Council’s Air Quality Strategy to reduce air pollution in the city and encourage the uptake of low emission vehicles.

The scheme is available to electric vehicle drivers living in the following council areas: Southampton City Council, New Forest District Council, Test Valley Borough Council, Winchester District Council, Eastleigh Borough Council, Fareham Borough Council, Gosport Borough Council, Havant Borough Council and Portsmouth City Council.

Eligible drivers can find out more about the scheme and apply for a SmartCities card at https://www.southampton.gov.uk/travel-transport/apply-pay/itchen-bridge/smartcities/

The scheme follows the introduction of 30 new electric vehicle charging points in five of Southampton’s multi-storey car parks earlier this year. Other incentives include a 90% reduction in annual city centre season ticket parking fees and offering taxi drivers cashback on licensing fees if they replace older more polluting vehicles with low emission alternatives.

The electric vehicle concession is subject to annual review. Any electric vehicle concession cards that have been issued prior to the withdrawal of the electric vehicle concession remain valid until they expire.