Provide free parking for green vehicles or we will switch back to petrol - that is the warning to Kingston Council from one cafe.

Gengiz Arif, the owner of the Terrace Eatery, wanted an electric van to do his bit for the environment and because the eye catching design was good for business.

But Mr Arif is now on his fifth parking ticket and shocked at the price of charging it in places such as the Rose Theatre car park, which offers annual membership to use its charging points.

There are six recently installed electric bays in the borough but they have not yet been commissioned by Electromotive, which would allow residents to register to charge.

A council spokesman said once the bays go live, anyone using an electric vehicle will be able to park free and charge their vehicle for up to three hours.

Angry at the number of fines, Mr Arif wrote to MP for Kingston and Surbiton, Edward Davey, and councillors, although only Mr Davey replied.

Mr Arif said: “He was very positive. He said if we did implement free parking it would be a good incentive for other businesses to do the same.

“If something doesn’t change, I may as well drive a Range Rover to deliver my sandwiches.”

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