People in Cardiff who drive sports utility vehicles (SUVs) or other large vehicles could have to pay more for a resident parking permit.

Cardiff council said a public consultation into managing traffic in the city would also include plans to stop students from applying for permits.

The aim is to reduce congestion, the council said, and to free up more parking spaces for certain groups such as residents, blue badge holders and businesses.

Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies said the council was “unduly penalising” people who driver larger vehicles.

SUV is a fairly loose term, which encompasses larger vehicles that can look sleek but also have 4×4 capabilities to handle rugged terrain.

“The question we’re asking is whether people who want a residential parking permit should pay more if they drive a larger vehicle,” council leader Huw Thomas told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

As well as new restrictions on permits for student-only properties, some residents would be unable to obtain a resident parking permit for their property under the scheme.

It would also see Cardiff split into four different parking areas, with different rules in each.

The fees involved have not been revealed yet.

“As people do through road tax, if you’re driving a larger or more polluting vehicle, to pay a bit more,” Mr Thomas added.

“The element of charging larger vehicles or SUVs, that is entirely focused on the residential parking, and these vehicles take up more space, they cause more damage to our roads.”

Mr Davies said he accepted residents want better parking outside their homes.

“I don’t believe it is right that people are going to be penalised unduly with a heavy tax on the vehicle they drive because of the conditions they live in,” he said.

A consultation is open until 1 December.

Any changes would not come into force until the Autumn of 2026 at the earliest.