On 17 April 2025, our Safety and Security Working Group convened for a session titled 'The SUV Invasion: Scale, causes, impacts—and what cities can do about it'. The discussion focused on the rising number of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) in urban environments, exploring the implications of their increasing size, weight, and market share, along with the associated impacts on road safety, public space, and emissions.

While the proliferation of SUVs is not a new trend, its scale and consequences are becoming increasingly visible — and harder to ignore.

Size (and weight) matters: Trends in vehicle design and local policy responses

The session opened with a presentation by Master of Urban Studies students from VUB/ULB, who are currently preparing a research report entitled 'Size (and weight) matters: Trends in vehicle design, impacts on cities and local policy response'.

The students highlighted several interconnected developments. Despite a reported decline in car ownership among people under 29 and the rise of multimodal transport options, SUV sales continue to grow. In advanced economies, SUVs now account for more than 50% of new car sales — a shift largely driven by their profitability for manufacturers. However, the increasing use of larger vehicles comes with significant safety trade-offs. While SUVs offer greater protection to their occupants, they pose increased risks to pedestrians and cyclists. This dynamic has been described as a 'vehicle arms race' — a shift that may paradoxically undermine overall road safety.

The environmental impact is equally striking. According to the presentation, excluding SUVs, the global car sector could have reduced CO₂ emissions by 75 million tonnes since 2010. Instead, SUVs have contributed an additional 544 million tonnes over the same period.

Activist responses are also emerging. Groups such as the 'Tyre Extinguishers' have engaged in direct action to draw attention to the issue, while some cities are experimenting with regulatory and fiscal measures, such as increased parking fees for heavier vehicles. Growing scrutiny of SUV advertising, especially concerning environmental claims, reflects a broader backlash against the normalisation of oversized vehicles in urban settings.

Insights from expert panel discussion

Following the presentation, a panel of invited experts responded with reflections and additional perspectives.

Adrian Davis, Professor of Transport & Health at Edinburgh Napier University, drew parallels with past public health interventions, including tobacco control, noting the importance of challenging industry narratives. He emphasised the need to promote collective well-being through policies that balance personal choice with public risk, and suggested that higher fees and targeted taxes could be effective if used as part of a broader strategy.

Ceri Woolsgrove, Senior Policy Officer at the European Cyclists' Federation, drew attention to regulatory loopholes that have allowed larger imported vehicles, such as pick-up trucks, to enter the EU with little scrutiny. He also noted the increase in engine power with vehicle size and stressed that evolving crash dynamics require updated safety legislation, particularly for vulnerable road users. Woolsgrove argued for stronger standards at the EU level and more assertive regulation of advertising practices.

Mário Alves, Secretary General of the International Federation of Pedestrians, warned of developments in the US market, such as the popularity of cybertrucks, that could signal future trends in Europe. He criticised EU emissions policy for unintentionally favouring heavier vehicles and highlighted the potential of weight-based policies, pointing to examples in France where cities such as Lyon have introduced differentiated parking charges. Alves suggested that these approaches could inform a broader European framework.

Pedro Gomes, POLIS Cluster Lead for Clean Vehicles and Air Quality, reiterated concerns about safety and emissions. He warned that while vehicle electrification is important, it is not a comprehensive solution. Larger vehicles still put a significant strain on infrastructure, worsen congestion and continue to emit more CO₂ and particulate matter, even in electric form. Gomes stressed the need to consider road space, maintenance costs and overall system design when assessing the role of SUVs.

What local and regional authorities can do

The second part of the session focused on practical responses. Participants identified several measures that local and regional authorities could consider:

• Advocating for stricter European and national regulations on vehicle size, emissions, and marketing;
• Introducing targeted taxes or differentiated parking fees based on vehicle weight and emissions profiles;
• Implementing selective restrictions or access limits for SUVs in specific areas or at specific times;
• Launching social marketing campaigns that challenge norms around vehicle size and promote safer, more sustainable choices;
• Reviewing fleet financing models and company car schemes that may incentivise the use of larger vehicles;
• Engaging with the insurance sector, particularly where data links SUVs to more severe collisions or higher repair costs;
• Emphasising a road safety approach that protects all users, not just vehicle occupants;
• Collecting and analysing local crash data to assess the impact of specific vehicle types, in collaboration with police and other stakeholders.

Conclusion

There is growing recognition that vehicle size is not just a matter of design — it is a policy issue with serious implications for safety, the environment, equity, and infrastructure. Yet the policy response remains fragmented, and in many cases, cities are acting without sufficient data or institutional backing.

One key takeaway from the session was the urgent need for a shared evidence base. Although the impacts of SUVs are increasingly visible, the data is scattered, and the policy response remains hesitant. Local authorities cannot tackle these challenges alone. Greater coordination — across cities, regions, and national governments — is essential to achieving structural change.

Participants also reflected on the importance of understanding behaviour. Many consumers do not choose SUVs irrationally; their decisions are shaped by marketing, cultural norms, and real or perceived safety concerns. Addressing these motivations is crucial for any policy to be effective and publicly supported.

Finally, the session underscored the value of continued dialogue and exchange.

You can view the full recording of the webinar here.