Discounted parking for lower emission vehicles has been rejected by a Dorset Council scrutiny committee after councillors raised concerns about fairness.
The Place and Resources Overview Committee voted to remove the proposal from the council’s wider parking review, although Cabinet could still overrule its recommendation.
Councillors argued the scheme could disadvantage people unable to afford newer vehicles or charge an electric car at home.
Verwood councillor Simon Gibson said the plan did not “pass the sense test” and warned it could make the council appear focused only on climate policies.
Cllr Gibson added he would welcome anything which made parking and finding a space easier which, in turn, often led to longer stays in town centres.
Cllr Piers Brown (Con, Cranborne Chase) proposed that Dorset Council remove the idea of emission-based discounts from its car parking review as being unfair.
The committee supported exploring reduced parking charges for Dorset residents, although the council cannot use automatic number plate recognition technology to operate such a scheme.
Members also backed clearer signs directing drivers towards lower cost long stay car parks and identifying short stay and long stay sections.
Other suggestions included helping lower paid town centre workers, improving payment machines and warning motorists that parking apps may carry an additional fee.
Dorset Council said no final decisions had been made before detailed proposals are developed for public debate.