London’s Mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan, faces calls to boost taxes and increase parking charges for SUVs from members of the London Assembly.
The assembly unanimously passed a motion expressing concerns that the growing size of vehicles is inflicting damage on roadways, exacerbating traffic congestion, and heightening the risks of fatal and serious accidents for other road users.
Members urged Sir Sadiq to appeal to the Treasury to revise vehicle excise duty, incorporating a tax structure based on the weight of vehicles. Additionally, they recommended that he encourage borough councils to impose higher parking fees for larger vehicles and to press the Department for Transport to enforce stricter restrictions on the dimensions and bonnet height of passenger cars.
The motion was approved with a vote of 14 in favor to 8 opposed.
In recent years, SUVs have surged in popularity as many drivers opt for their elevated seating position. They constituted one-third of all new car registrations in the UK last year, a significant rise from just 12% a decade prior.
Typically, SUVs are bulkier, taller, and heavier than conventional vehicles and tend to be less fuel-efficient. This significant increase in vehicle size has been termed “carspreading.”
Elly Baker, a Labour member of the London Assembly and the motion’s sponsor, remarked that the city’s streets “were not built for larger vehicles like SUVs.” She emphasized that their increased size and weight pose greater risks to vulnerable road users, diminish available parking, and contribute to accelerated wear on road surfaces.
“It’s time we take practical measures to address the effects of oversized vehicles and ensure that our streets remain safe and accessible,” she added.
However, Edmund King, president of the AA, stated that it is “ultimately up to Londoners to decide what vehicles suit their needs.” He expressed concerns about the assembly’s role in dictating vehicle choices. “While larger families might require bigger vehicles with additional seating, individuals who typically drive alone may prefer smaller city cars. Our roads were originally designed for horse-drawn carriages, so it’s important that we modernize our infrastructure to keep pace with current demands.”
A recent research study revealed that pedestrians and cyclists face a 44% greater likelihood of fatality when struck by an SUV or similarly sized vehicle in comparison to standard cars. This risk escalates to 82% for children, according to an analysis conducted by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Imperial College London.
A representative from the Mayor’s office stated, “The mayor, alongside Transport for London and local authorities, is dedicated to eliminating fatalities and severe injuries on our roads by enhancing the cycling network, improving the safety of road crossings and junctions, reducing speed limits, and making larger vehicles such as HGVs and buses safer. This year, the mayor will be revising his Vision Zero action plan to reaffirm his commitment to minimizing road hazards and addressing new and emerging risks.”
The Treasury has yet to provide a comment on this matter.
