The average new car on sale today occupies 12.3% more space than in 2006, with its footprint increasing from 7.67 to 8.61 square meters, according to Vehicle Data Global (VDG). This trend, dubbed 'carspreading' and recognized by Collins English Dictionary as 'the tendency of manufacturers to build cars that are longer, wider, and heavier,' is transforming the UK's vehicle parc and creating significant issues.
The growth rate of car sizes has doubled in the last decade compared to the period between 2006 and 2016. While the surge in SUV popularity, now accounting for over half of car models on sale, is a major contributor, even smaller vehicles are expanding. The Vauxhall Corsa, for example, has seen its footprint grow from 6.01 square meters in 1995 to 7.17 square meters in 2026. Similarly, the Volkswagen Golf family hatchback's footprint has increased by 12.4% over the same period.
Several factors contribute to this expansion. Stricter crash-safety regulations necessitate larger crumple zones, stronger structures, and more airbags, all requiring additional space. The enduring popularity of SUVs, evolving from utilitarian vehicles to desirable status symbols starting with the original Range Rover in 1970 and becoming mainstream with models like the Nissan Qashqai, has driven demand for larger vehicles. Manufacturers also benefit financially, as SUVs, often based on the same platforms and engines as smaller cars, can command higher prices.
The 'Parking Crisis'
This increase in vehicle size is exacerbating a "parking crisis" in Britain. A 2024 analysis by Transport & Environment (T&E) found that over half of new cars sold in the previous year were too wide for an average 1.8-meter roadside parking bay. VDG data indicates that four fewer vehicles can fit on a typical 200-meter residential street now compared to two decades ago, falling from 94 to 90. This trend is forcing residents to park further from their homes and contributing to a loss of roadside parking spaces, with projections suggesting London could lose around 100,000 spaces by 2040.
Even private garages are becoming unsuitable for many new cars. The average single household garage is 2.53 meters wide, dimensions increasingly inadequate for larger vehicles. Consequently, 37% of motorists with a garage reportedly never use it for parking, often due to insufficient space to open doors. The inconvenience is also costly, with Britons spending an estimated £1.5 billion annually on repairing vehicle damage incurred in car parks, much of it from minor door strikes in tight spaces.
Safety and Environmental Concerns
Beyond parking difficulties, 'carspreading' raises serious safety issues. Larger, heavier vehicles pose a greater risk to pedestrians and cyclists. Research from the Vias Institute and a study by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and Imperial College London found that vulnerable road users are significantly more likely to die if hit by an SUV. The increased height of SUVs, with their taller bonnets and blunter designs, contributes to higher impact points and a greater risk of fatal injuries, particularly for children. T&E warns that if cars continue to grow, child pedestrian fatalities could increase by 40% by 2040.
Environmentally, larger cars also have a more significant impact. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported that SUVs accounted for over 20% of the growth in global energy-related CO2 emissions in 2023. If SUVs were a country, they would be the fifth-largest emitter of CO2 globally. The shift towards heavier, less fuel-efficient vehicles also increases demand for energy and raw materials.
Policy and Taxation
Discussions around mitigating these issues include potential policy changes. While proposals for a new tax on larger vehicles, considering factors like weight and potentially width, were not implemented in recent UK budgets, some local authorities are taking action. Cardiff Council, for instance, charges higher permit fees for 'oversized and highly polluting vehicles.' In Europe, Paris has tripled parking charges for SUVs, a policy London Mayor Sadiq Khan is monitoring.
The current recommended dimensions for standard public parking bays in Britain, set in the 1970s, have not kept pace with vehicle growth. While some motorists believe parking spaces should be redesigned, increasing bay sizes could lead to a significant reduction in overall parking capacity. For example, making spaces larger could result in the loss of an estimated 1.3 million parking spaces nationwide.