Green advocates are warning that the increasing size of new cars, particularly sport utility vehicles (SUVs), could lead to a loss of one in ten roadside parking spaces in UK cities by 2040. The growing dimensions of vehicles pose an "unprecedented threat to urban space" and may eliminate a significant number of parking spots over the next decade, according to an analysis by the green think tank Transport & Environment (T&E).
New cars have been steadily increasing in length, width, and height for decades, a trend that has accelerated despite declining family sizes and car occupancy rates. This phenomenon, dubbed 'carspreading' by T&E, forces city authorities to redesign roads to accommodate larger vehicles, consequently reducing on-street parking capacity. T&E forecasts this could decrease parking capacity by 8.5% to 14% by 2040, with London potentially losing around 100,000 spaces.
The report indicates that the average length of newly sold cars in Britain has been increasing by approximately 1.2 cm annually since 2000, while height, width, and bonnet height are rising by about 0.5 cm each year. T&E attributes this trend partly to car manufacturers prioritizing larger, more profitable vehicles. "After 25 years of relentless growth, our streets are dominated by oversized SUVs that cities simply weren't designed for," stated Anna Krajinska, T&E UK director. She added that this situation results in councils sacrificing parking capacity, public space, and safety to reshape streets for larger vehicles.
Vehicle Dimensions and Safety Concerns
A recent study analyzing new car models available in Britain found that the average width of a car increased from 177.8 cm in 2018 to 180.3 cm in the first half of 2023. Historical data suggests a consistent increase of 1 cm in width every two years up to 2020. Specific models, such as the new Land Rover Defender, have reportedly become 20 cm wider than their predecessors, and the BMW X5 has grown 6 cm in six years.
Manufacturers cite stricter crash protection regulations, including requirements for larger crumple zones, increased structural integrity, and more airbags, as reasons for the increase in vehicle dimensions. While these safety features have contributed to a significant drop in car occupant casualties over the past two decades, the popularity of SUVs has surged. In 2024, SUVs became the most popular car body style in the UK, accounting for 33% of the market share, and analysis indicates that over half of new cars in showrooms are now SUVs.
Beyond parking and urban space issues, campaigners warn of increased road fatalities. T&E and the green think tank Clean Cities estimate that the rise of larger SUVs could lead to approximately 400 additional road deaths annually across the UK and Europe by 2040. They project a 40% increase in fatalities among vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, compared to a scenario prioritizing smaller vehicles. Rising bonnet heights, projected to reach an average of 86.2 cm by 2040, are seen as a particular risk to children, who face a higher likelihood of head or chest injuries in collisions.
Calls for Policy Changes
To address these concerns, T&E UK and Clean Cities are advocating for policy changes to encourage the production and sale of more compact and safer models. Their proposals include a "large vehicle levy"—a tax on the sale price of larger vehicles—and an industry-wide cap on dimensions, limiting bonnet height to 85 cm and vehicle width to 192 cm. These restrictions would apply to newly type-approved models from 2033 and all new cars on sale by 2036. Additionally, they propose that Euro NCAP incorporate visibility testing, specifically assessing a driver's view of small children in front of the vehicle, and that the UK implement higher parking charges for larger and heavier cars.