As the UK’s car market continues to grow, so do concerns over oversized vehicles taking up valuable parking space and posing a threat to urban safety. With record numbers of large SUVs on the road, campaigners are calling for change.
The Growing Problem of Oversized Vehicles in the UK
More than 1 million cars sold in the UK each year are too big to fit in typical parking spaces, and numbers are growing. Researchers at Clean Cities have found that since 2021, 4.6 million cars have been sold in the UK that are bigger than a typical urban car parking space.
Oversized vehicles, also known as oversized loads or superloads, are large vehicles that exceed standard dimensions and weights.
These vehicles require special permits and escorts due to their size and weight, posing challenges for transportation infrastructure and safety.
According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), oversized vehicles account for only 0.1% of total traffic, but they cause 20-30% of all bridge strikes.
To mitigate risks, many countries have implemented regulations and guidelines for transporting oversized loads.
The Impact on Urban Areas
The trend for cars bigger than the average urban parking space means new vehicles are outgrowing towns and cities. This has significant implications for urban areas, including increased air pollution, damage to roads, and reduced safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
Larger cars are more deadly in crashes than smaller ones, as they weigh more and have tall front ends that trap victims beneath them instead of knocking them to the side. They also pump more toxic gases into the air, contributing to poor air quality in urban areas.
The Call for Change
Oliver Lord, the UK head of Clean Cities, says: ‘Cars are getting bigger every year – while our streets are not. We need carmakers to prioritise normal-sized cars that can be parked more easily and are less dangerous to people walking around. It’s only fair if you want to buy a massive SUV [sports utility vehicle] that you should expect to pay more for the space it takes up.‘
The Clean Cities campaigners are also calling for more charges on SUVs to reflect the space they take up and the damage to roads and environments they cause.
The Rise of Large SUVs
Despite being too big for most parking spaces, large SUVs are becoming increasingly popular. In 2024, a record 1,213,385 cars wider than 1.8 metres were sold. Some cities, such as Paris, have introduced specific parking charges for SUVs, which mean drivers paying triple the amount of those driving regular cars.
The large SUV market has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by consumer preferences for spacious and versatile vehicles.
According to data from the Automotive News Data Center, large SUV sales have increased by over 20% since 2020.
This trend is attributed to factors such as increasing family sizes, growing demand for luxury features, and a shift towards more practical vehicle choices.
Key statistics include: - Over 1 million large SUVs sold in the US alone in 2022 - The average price of a new large SUV exceeds $50,000 - Top-selling large SUV models include the Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition, and Toyota Sequoia
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has indicated his support for such schemes. ‘It’s not just the added stress of not being able to find somewhere to park, it’s the sense that if I’m involved in a collision with one of these giant SUVs, that me and my family are far more likely to be seriously hurt or killed. If you cause more danger, create more potholes and take up more parking space, it’s only fair that you pay a little bit more.’ said Harriet Edwards, a parent from Sutton.
The Green party peer Jenny Jones has launched a cross-party anti-SUV alliance in the House of Lords, calling for the government to encourage other councils to replicate measures introduced by Bath and Islington councils. She said: ‘Sales of SUVs have leapt up in the last two decades, yet many urban streets and car parking bays are simply too small to accommodate the increasing girth of these vehicles.’
The global SUV market has experienced significant growth over the past decade, driven by increasing consumer demand for spacious and versatile vehicles.
According to a report by the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA) , SUV sales have risen from 10.2 million units in 2010 to over 22 million units in 2020.
This growth is attributed to factors such as urbanization, changing lifestyles, and expanding road networks.
The trend is expected to continue, with many manufacturers investing heavily in SUV production.
