Bigger cars, bigger problems: Why supersizing SUVs could be hurting us more than we think
Larger Vehicles, especially SUVs, Contribute to Road Congestion and Pose a Greater Risk in Accidents as Compared to Regular Cars.
Our automobiles have never been larger or heavier, and that's taking a toll on our health, environment, and roads. Consider the Ford F150 truck - between 1991 and 2025, it expanded 75cm in length, grew 20 cm in height, and became 483 kg heavier. It's not alone; the trend towards "supersizing" can be seen across the entire automotive industry.
These days, big vehicles - particularly sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and light truck vehicles (LTVs) - are in high demand. In the United States, a staggering eight out of the top 10 passenger vehicles sold in 2025 fell into the SUV or LTV category. The same is true for nine of the top sellers in New Zealand. Globally, SUVs accounted for an impressive 48% of new car sales in 2023 compared to 15% in 2010.
But there's a dark side to these massive vehicles.
First off, they're not good for the environment. Vehicles that rely on fossil fuels, which make up the majority of the fleet, are notorious for their negative impact on the climate. Road transport is responsible for 15% of all global CO2 emissions, and SUVs and LTVs play a significant role in that total. If we ranked the global fleet of SUVs as a country, it would be the world's fifth-largest CO2 emitter, surpassing the emissions of Japan and other major economies [3]. According to the International Energy Agency, an SUV that runs on gas or diesel emits 20% more CO2 than an average sedan or medium-sized car due to their heavier weight [3]. Given that CO2 is the primary driver of global warming, the rise of SUVs doesn't seem like a step forward.
Electric SUVs and LTVs may seem like a better choice, but they're not entirely blameless. They contribute to a significant amount of tyre emissions, which are tiny particles of rubber that can harm human health and the environment. Larger, heavier vehicles tend to generate more particulate pollution [3].
Now, let's dive into the problems that supersizing SUVs and LTVs present beyond their environmental impact.
urban chaos
Traffic in many cities is on the rise, but a recent study published in the journal Transportmetrica A shines a spotlight on SUVs and LTVs as the culprit behind traffic congestion in urban areas. The study, led by traffic engineer David Levinson (a Professor at the University of Sydney) and data scientist Dr Yang Gao (from City University of Hong Kong), analyzed 25 years of traffic data from the Minneapolis-St. Paul freeway network.
The researchers found that the number of SUVs and LTVs on the road rose significantly, while those of tractor-trailers remained relatively stable. The increased number of SUVs had a more substantial impact on reducing traffic flow than tractor-trailers due to their larger size, longer braking times, and the extra space drivers tend to give them [2].
SUVs and LTVs not only make traffic congestion worse, but they're also more hazardous for everyone involved.
Danger on the streets
SUVs and LTVs may offer a sense of increased safety for their occupants, but the reality is not so cut and dry. While they offer better protection from accidents with smaller cars, they are more likely to roll over in any impact, increasing the risk of injury for occupants [4]. Their stiffer structures also lead to higher deceleration in the event of a crash, potentially causing injuries such as concussions and organ ruptures [4].
What's beyond debate is that SUVs and LTVs pose a greater risk to pedestrians and cyclists. A recent study combining data from multiple studies found that pedestrians and cyclists struck by an SUV or LTV are 44% more likely to die than those hit by a passenger car. This risk is even higher for children, with a child struck by an SUV or LTV being 82% more likely to die than one struck by a passenger car [4].
Reducing their appeal
In response to the growing danger of SUVs and LTVs on urban streets, an increasing number of cities are taking measures to discourage their use. Paris tripled parking fees for heavier vehicles in 2024, and many cities in the United States and Europe are considering implementing similar measures [1]. Other cities, like Edinburgh and Sheffield in the United Kingdom, have banned advertising for high-carbon products, including SUVs, comparing them to "today's tobacco" [1].
Cities and countries worldwide are starting to take action to reduce our reliance on SUVs and LTVs. These latest studies on their negative impact on traffic congestion and pedestrian safety can only help strengthen the case for a change in direction [2]. Is it really worth it to fill our roads with more of these massive, polluting vehicles?
Enrichment Data:[1] Many cities have implemented or are considering measures such as parking fees, congestion charging, and ad bans targeting SUVs and LTVs to discourage their use, recognizing the negative impact they have on cities and their inhabitants.
[2] SUVs and light trucks require more road space and longer gaps between vehicles to accommodate their size, stretching congestion and backups further during rush hour.
[3] In addition to the environmental hazards posed by SUVs and LTVs, their heavy weight also makes them more likely to roll over in any crash, causing additional risk to their occupants.
[4] The larger size and mass of SUVs and light trucks result in increased trauma to pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users when these vehicles are involved in collisions. This increased trauma is due to their design characteristics, such as taller front profiles, greater mass, and higher centrifugal forces.
- In the automotive industry, there's a concerning trend of 'supersizing' SUVs and light truck vehicles (LTVs), which could potentially be detrimental to our health, environment, and urban transportation.
- According to the International Energy Agency, an SUV emits 20% more CO2 than an average sedan or medium-sized car due to its heavier weight, contributing significantly to road transport's 15% of global CO2 emissions.
- A study published in the journal 'Transportmetrica A' reveals that in urban areas, the increased number of SUVs and LTVs is a significant factor in traffic congestion, due to their larger size and longer braking times.
- The stiffer structures of SUVs and LTVs can potentially cause higher deceleration in the event of a crash, leading to injuries such as concussions and organ ruptures.
- Pedestrians and cyclists struck by an SUV or LTV are 44% more likely to die than those hit by a passenger car, posing a greater risk to urban safety.
- Cities worldwide are taking action to reduce our reliance on SUVs and LTVs, with measures such as parking fees, congestion charging, and ad bans targeting these vehicles, recognizing their negative impact on cities and their inhabitants.
