SUVs are getting wider, outgrowing roads and parking spaces in these countries

Some SUVs as wide as 2,039 mm, combined with narrow roads and crunch of parking space in many European cities are making urban traffic conditions diff
...
Volvo EX90
Some SUVs as wide as 2,039 mm, combined with narrow roads and crunch of parking space in many European cities are making urban traffic conditions difficult to manage.
Volvo EX90
Some SUVs as wide as 2,039 mm, combined with narrow roads and crunch of parking space in many European cities are making urban traffic conditions difficult to manage.

The global craze for SUVs shows no sign of slowdown. Large boxy SUVs are witnessing rapid growth in demand and sales across the world. Interestingly, while the world of automobiles is thriving towards zero-emission mobility by introducing various cleaner and greener powertrain technologies, the rising demand and sales of fossil-fuel-run SUVs are offsetting the benefits coming from electric vehicles and other cleaner fuels. At the same time, SUVs are creating another trouble in the urban environment.

A study by Transport & Environment (T&E) has revealed that SUVs are increasingly becoming wider, outgrowing roads and eating away parking spaces across Europe. The problem is more prominent in the old cities across the continent, where roads are narrower. The study has revealed that in densely packed European cities, where streets are narrower and finding parking spaces is difficult, the growing size of SUVs is causing friction and problems. The study also claims that on average, new passenger vehicles in the continent have been growing wider by about 10 mm every two years, encroaching on space that could be used by other road users. This is causing trouble for traffic management in European cities.

Also check these Cars

Find more Cars
Mahindra Ekuv100 (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
BatteryCapacity Icon40 kWh Range Icon150 Km
₹ 8.25 - 10 Lakhs
Alert Me When Launched
Porsche 911 Gt3 (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon3996.0 cc FuelType IconPetrol
₹ 2.50 Cr
Compare
View Offers
Mahindra S204 (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
₹ 12 Lakhs
Alert Me When Launched
Lexus Nx (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon2494.0 cc FuelType IconMultiple
₹ 64.90 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers
Rolls-royce New Ghost (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
Engine Icon6750 cc FuelType IconPetrol
₹ 6.95 - 7.95 Cr
Alert Me When Launched
Mercedes-benz Amg E53 Cabriolet (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon2999.0 cc FuelType IconPetrol
₹ 1.30 Cr
Compare

Also Read : Maruti Suzuki Ignis to Hyundai Exter: Top 5 automatic cars under 10 lakh

The study has further called for regulatory intervention from the European Union. It stated that without regulatory intervention from the EU, this trend may persist, leading to increasingly crowded and hazardous conditions for pedestrians and cyclists on the city roads.

Currently, the maximum permitted width for all vehicles in the European Union is 2,550 mm. This law was enforced in the mid-90s to limit the size of buses and trucks. However, it acts as a loophole for the car manufacturers to produce SUVs and pickup trucks that are too big and don't fit in the standard public vehicle parking space. The study shows some SUVs are as wide as 2,039 mm, occupying a large chunk of the road.

The study suggests that lawmakers should review the maximum size of passenger vehicles to protect public space from being encroached. Besides that, passenger vehicles' size and especially height are crucial for road safety, as the higher hood of the SUVs pose a greater threat to pedestrians or cyclists. In a study conducted by the Vias Institute in Belgium between 2017 and 2021, it was revealed that raising a vehicle’s hood by 100 mm increases the risk of fatality in collisions with pedestrians and cyclists by a whopping 30 per cent.

Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2024, Best SUVs in India.

First Published Date: 29 Jan 2024, 14:55 PM IST
NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS

Check Latest Offers

Please provide your details to get Personalized Offers

Choose city
+91 | Choose city
Choose city
Select a dealer

Want to get the best price for your existing car?

Powered by: Spinny Logo
By clicking "View Offers" you Agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy
Dear Name

Please verify your mobile number.

+91 | Choose city
Couldn't verify the OTP.
It's either expired or it's incorrect.