Several UK cities, including London, Cardiff, Lambeth, Westminster, Bristol, Bath, and Edinburgh, are considering or implementing policies like higher parking tariffs, restrictions, and emissions-based charges to curb SUV use and address environmental and safety concerns.

Local authorities and political figures support measures such as parking surcharges and advertising restrictions to discourage the growing number of SUVs, which now make up a significant portion of urban vehicles.

SUVs emit more toxic gases and particles, contributing to air pollution and climate change, especially as they are often taxed at lower rates in the UK compared to Europe.

Research from Imperial College London highlights that SUVs are significantly more dangerous in collisions, with a 44% higher likelihood of causing fatalities to pedestrians and cyclists, and an 82% higher risk for children.

In London alone, SUV numbers have increased tenfold from about 80,000 in 2002 to approximately 800,000 in 2023, occupying as much space as an entire inner-city borough and raising safety and congestion issues.

Research indicates that SUVs are 44% more likely to cause fatal injuries to pedestrians or cyclists, with children being at an even higher risk of 82%, due to their larger size and higher bonnet height.

The trend of large vehicles spreading across European cities is partly driven by lower UK taxes on SUVs, with some cities like Paris successfully reducing their use through measures such as tripling parking costs.

Paris has already tripled parking costs for SUVs, leading to a two-thirds reduction in their surface parking use, demonstrating the effectiveness of such policies.

Campaigners in the UK are advocating for similar parking charges in major cities to discourage oversized vehicles and free up urban space.

Other European cities have implemented or considered measures like tripling parking rates for heavy SUVs, and London’s former mayor proposed increasing congestion charges for larger vehicles, though it was never enacted.

London Assembly members are calling for stricter vehicle size regulations, higher taxes on heavier vehicles, and increased parking charges to reduce the pressure SUVs place on city streets.

Experts emphasize that SUVs consume substantial urban space and pose increased safety risks, particularly to children, urging policymakers to address their rising prevalence.

Larger vehicles like SUVs are linked to higher crash fatalities due to their weight and design, which can obscure visibility and trap victims beneath the vehicle.