Wed, 03 Dec 2025

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 'Carspreading' is on the rise - and not everyone is happy about it

In the UK and across Europe, cars are becoming longer, wider and heavier.
Key points: 1. The International Energy Agency notes that despite advances in fuel efficiency and electrification, the trend towards heavier and less efficient vehicles has largely nullified improvements in energy consumption and emissions. 2. Research by Belgium's Vias Institute suggests that a 10cm increase in the height of a car bonnet can increase the risk of vulnerable road users being killed in a collision by 27%. 3. T&E (Transport & Environment) argues that high bonnets on larger vehicles create blind spots, putting pedestrians and cyclists at greater risk. 4. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders notes that 40% of SUVs are now zero-emission, but this is still a concern for environmental impact. 5. France imposes extra registration taxes on cars that weigh over 1,600kg, which could be an option to consider in the UK. Opinions:
* David Leggett suggests tweaking tax regimes to make smaller vehicles relatively attractive and encouraging people to buy them, particularly for use in cities.
* Rachel Burgess believes everything is cyclical and trends come and go, suggesting that SUVs may not be around forever. Recent Developments: 1. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders says 40% of SUVs are now zero-emission. 2. France imposes extra registration taxes on cars that weigh over 1,600kg. 3. Several relatively low-priced small EVs have recently come onto the market. Conclusion: The growing trend of larger and heavier vehicles poses significant safety risks to other road users. While there are efforts to make SUVs more environmentally friendly, concerns remain about their impact on communities and individuals. Introducing taxes or regulations that discourage large vehicles could be a step towards making our roads safer and more sustainable.
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