A new report by the think tank Transport & Environment (T&E) suggests that the increasing popularity of larger vehicles, such as SUVs, is leading to a reduction in on-street parking spaces in major cities. This trend, dubbed “carspreading” by critics, is causing concerns about road safety and congestion.
According to the study, the dimensions of new cars have been steadily increasing over the past two decades, with lengths growing by an average of 1.2cm per year and overall height, bonnet height, and width each increasing by about 0.5cm annually. If this trend continues, the analysis predicts that on-street parking capacity in cities could decrease by 8.5% to 14% by 2040.
Specifically, London could face a potential loss of approximately 100,000 parking spaces due to the trend towards larger vehicles. The report also highlights the potential risks associated with the rise of SUVs, projecting an additional 400 road deaths annually by 2040 across the UK and European Union if car sizes do not revert to 2015 levels.
T&E emphasized that car manufacturers have shifted towards producing larger models despite changing demographics and decreasing car occupancy rates. Anna Krajinska, T&E UK director, criticized the dominance of oversized SUVs on city streets, noting the negative impact on parking capacity, public space, and safety.
The think tank called for clearer standards to limit car size and promote right-sizing to address the issue of “carspreading” and its consequences on urban environments. Krajinska warned that without regulatory intervention, cities will continue to face challenges posed by the unchecked growth of larger vehicles.