Cars are steadily becoming longer, wider and heavier in the UK and across Europe
8 days ago
- #urban-planning
- #carspreading
- #SUV
- The rise of 'carspreading' with cars becoming longer, wider, and heavier in the UK and Europe.
- Paris introduces higher parking charges for heavy vehicles to tackle pollution and traffic.
- Cardiff increases parking permit costs for cars over 2,400kg due to emissions and safety concerns.
- SUVs' popularity grows, making up 59% of the European market by 2025, driven by perceived safety and practicality.
- Bigger cars like SUVs offer higher profit margins for manufacturers due to premium pricing.
- Safety concerns arise as larger cars pose higher risks to pedestrians and cyclists.
- Environmental impact: SUVs emit 20% more emissions than average medium-sized cars, offsetting efficiency gains.
- France imposes extra taxes on heavy cars, suggesting similar measures could be adopted in the UK.
- Electric SUVs now make up 40% of zero-emission vehicles, but weight concerns persist.
- Cyclical trends suggest SUVs may not dominate forever, with small electric cars making a comeback.