'Carspreading' is on the rise – and not everyone is happy about it
8 days ago
- #urban-planning
- #automotive-trends
- #environmental-policy
- Cars in the UK and Europe are becoming longer, wider, and heavier, with consumers favoring big cars for their practicality, safety, and style.
- Paris has introduced measures to curb big cars, including higher parking fees for heavy vehicles, resulting in a two-thirds drop in such cars parking on city streets.
- Other cities, like Cardiff, are considering similar measures, citing higher emissions, road wear, and safety risks from heavier vehicles.
- SUVs have surged in popularity, making up 59% of the European market by 2025, driven by consumer preferences for height, visibility, and perceived safety.
- Bigger cars, especially SUVs, are more profitable for manufacturers due to higher profit margins, despite sharing many components with smaller cars.
- Safety improvements have contributed to the growth in car size, but critics argue bigger cars pose greater risks to pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users.
- Electric SUVs are becoming more common, but their heavier weight could exacerbate existing issues like road wear and safety concerns.
- France imposes extra taxes on heavy cars, and there are calls for similar measures in the UK to address the environmental and social impacts of large vehicles.
- Small electric cars are making a comeback, with new models entering the market, but SUVs remain dominant for now.