The Guardian view on SUVs: London’s mayor is right to push back on supersize cars | Editorial

No one walking, cycling or driving in London, or many major cities around the world, might not notice the greatly increased size of a typical car. A type of vehicle once associated with rural settings and outdoor lifestyles is now ubiquitous. Widely marketed as sport utility vehicles (SUVs), full-size cars are among the biggest consumer trends of the past few decades. In 2022, they represented 46% of global new car sales.

For manufacturers, these vehicles generate big revenue due to higher profit margins. For those inside, they offer more space and a higher vantage point. But for those who aren’t, SUVs have obvious drawbacks. The threat they pose to pedestrians is one. Research shows that children are 77% more likely to die if struck by an SUV than by other cars, due to their size and structure, particularly their high hoods. The finding was highlighted in an announcement from London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan that these risks are being closely examined as part of a wider review of the environmental impact of SUVs. This evidence will provide the basis for policy proposals that should include higher fees for landlords.

SUVs also take up a lot more physical space than most cars. Between 2021 and 2025, around 4.6 million cars larger than a typical parking space were sold in the UK. Londoners have not yet been consulted on what action to take on this. But public reaction in other cities suggests many people are unhappy with the trend. In Cardiff, 66% of respondents to a city survey said SUV owners should pay more for parking permits. In Paris, a majority supported tripling parking rates in a 2024 referendum.

These are places Sir Sadiq can learn from, alongside Helsinki and Oslo, both of which have managed to significantly reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on the roads. Following the rollout of the London-wide Ultra Low Emissions Zone (Ulez) in 2023, which led to significant improvements in air quality, the Mayor knows it pays to be bold. Although regulatory changes inevitably cause short-term disruption and politicians can never please everyone, past experience shows that most Londoners can be persuaded to cooperate on projects that make their city cleaner and safer. Further reductions in speed limits are also expected, with expanded 20mph zones and new restrictions on faster roads.

Most newer SUVs are Ulez compliant, but their large carbon footprint over their lifetime, including during manufacturing, is an issue that needs to be addressed by central government. According to the International Energy Agency, SUVs consume about 20% more oil than mid-size cars, and their popularity has offset global gains from improved fuel efficiency since 1990 – even though about 20% of new models are electric.

Ministers are expected to review a system in which new SUVs are taxed far less heavily than in many European countries. The green transition should include an environmentally friendly tax system. Such financial boosts will never change everyone’s behavior. But they are an important tool, just like local tolls for parking and traffic jams. Sir Sadiq knows this and is right to signal that he intends to use the levers at his disposal. The debate over the growing number of giant cars in the UK must accelerate.

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