Full-size SUVs and pickup trucks, which are very popular in North America, could be a problem in Europe. Especially for densely populated cities with narrow streets and a lack of parking spaces.
According to a recent study, on average, new passenger cars become 10 mm wider every two years. Thus, every year there is less and less space for other road users on European streets. According to experts, if this trend continues, it will create quite dangerous conditions for pedestrians and cyclists.
Currently, the EU has a regulation in place that was adopted in the 1990s. According to it, the maximum permitted width of vehicles is 2550 mm. Although the law was intended for trucks and buses, manufacturers are “applying” this rule to pickup trucks and SUVs. This loophole can only be closed by appropriate legislative changes.
According to a new study by Transport & Environment (T&E), the average width of new cars in the EU has now exceeded 1800 mm. Since 2001, cars have been adding an average of 5 mm in width per year, reaching 2,000 mm and even exceeding this figure. For example, the Mercedes-Benz GLS is 2030 mm wide, the Volvo EX 90 is 2039 mm wide, and the Range Rover/Range Rover Sport is 2047 mm wide.
As you can see in the chart compiled by T&E, over 22 years, due to the increase in the width of cars, the space for a cyclist on the road has almost halved – from 1300 mm to 700 mm.
Experts propose to protect public space from “further encroachment” by limiting the maximum size of passenger and light commercial vehicles. And it’s not just about width. The potential threat to pedestrians and cyclists is also increased by the height. According to a study conducted in Belgium in 2017-2021, raising the hood of a car by 100 mm increases the risk of fatalities in collisions with pedestrians and cyclists by 30%.
The European Parliament and the European Union plan to consider the issue of limiting the size of cars in early 2024. At the same time, some countries have started implementing their own programs. For example, France imposes restrictions on the use of heavy vehicles. In particular, Paris and Leon are considering introducing higher parking fees for larger and heavier vehicles in the coming months.
