A majority of the Salt Lake City Council signaled its support Thursday night for a plan to offer free metered parking to drivers of alternative-fuel, fuel-efficient and low-polluting cars.

Mayor Rocky Anderson suggested the perk to encourage more people to buy and use clean cars. Drivers of qualifying vehicles - the city would ensure with a sticker that the cars meet the clean standard - would get two hours of free parking at meters, saving $2.

Councilwoman Jill Remington Love acknowledged the ordinance would be mostly symbolic, but she likes the statement it makes.

"This makes a tremendous amount of sense," Councilman Eric Jergensen agreed.

Others were less enthusiastic. Carlton Christensen suggested ending the perk after a couple of years, assuming more clean cars will be bought in the future. Nancy Saxton noted it takes a "certain socioeconomic status to own a car like this" because they are typically more expensive than traditional vehicles.

Dave Buhler said he would support the ordinance, but suggested the city should make another group of people feel welcome downtown. "There's a lot of statements we could make. Maybe we ought to give Davis County residents a break."

It was a veiled reference to how Anderson has alienated residents to the north by joining a lawsuit to block the Legacy Highway.

The council hasn't scheduled a vote.