Calls to charge SUVs more to park in towns and cities

5 February 2024

“SUVs are too large for city streets, creating obstruction to pedestrians and road users, and disproportionately adding to congestion and carbon emissions. We want to see higher charges for visitor and resident parking for SUVs in UK cities and better parking enforcement to help reduce the impact of these large vehicles on our cities’ roads and public transport system.”

In the UK, three quarters of all Sports Utility Vehicles sold are registered to people living in towns and cities. Too large for most urban roads, SUVs increase congestion by taking up more road space and overhanging standard parking bays. The obstruction and increased congestion they create also impacts on bus reliability by increasing journey times.

With the growth in SUV ownership worldwide now threatening to undo efforts to reduce carbon emissions from road traffic – a recent report found that emissions from the motor sector could have fallen by more than 30 per cent between 2010 and 2022 if vehicles had stayed the same size – Campaign for Better Transport is calling for more to be done to reduce SUVs negative impacts on our roads.

Mrs Barrett added: “A number of local authorities and London boroughs have already implemented or are considering implementing emissions-based resident parking permits. This needs to be looked at more consistently across the country.”

ENDS

For further information please contact the press office on 07984 773 468 (calls only no texts) or communications@bettertransport.org.uk.

Notes to Editors

1. Mindgames on Wheels, Bad Advertising
2. Trends in the global fleet, 2023, Global Fuel Economy Initiative
3. Campaign for Better Transport operates in England and Wales. Campaign for Better Transport’s vision is for all communities to have access to high quality, sustainable transport that meets their needs, improves quality of life and protects the environment. Campaign for Better Transport Charitable Trust is a registered charity (1101929).