Brits driving SUVs could face 'tougher new parking rules' inspired by France

Brit SUV owners could soon be facing far harsher restrictions, with experts pushing for EU-style parking measures to address their impact on road safety, air pollution and public space.

SUVs are the most popular vehicles in the UK, with data showing they account for around a third of all new car registrations. Their rapid rise has drawn the attention of campaigners and researchers alike, many of whom are calling for stricter SUV parking rules to be introduced.

These potential changes could be modelled on measures recently introduced in Paris, where local authorities have taken decisive action to curb the use of SUVs in the city — earlier this year, the French capital significantly increased parking costs for the vehicles.

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The price of leaving an SUV in the city centre now stands at €18 an hour, compared to the standard €6, while on the outskirts of the city it has risen from €4 to €12 per hour. For longer stays, the charges are even higher, with six hours of parking now costing an astonishing €225 (roughly £195), instead of the €75 (£65) smaller vehicles are charged for the same service.

According to French newspaper Le Parisien, these hefty hikes have already had an extreme effect, with the number of SUVs using surface parking reduced by two-thirds in the city. Other cities in France, including Lyon and Grenoble, as well as Tubingen in Germany, have followed suit by introducing higher parking charges for larger, gas-guzzling vehicles.

Director of Transport for Quality of Life, Dr Anna Goodman, explained: "SUVs increasingly dominate our streets. In just two decades, the share of SUVs in English cities has grown tenfold. In London alone, the number of SUVs has swelled by around 720,000.

"This has important implications for congestion, public space and road safety. The evidence is clear that SUVs increase road danger for people walking and cycling, particularly for children."

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UK Head of Clean Cities, Oliver Lord, agreed: "These oversized vehicles are not just swallowing our public space, they're also far more dangerous, especially for children. If we want cities that are safe, breathable and accessible, we have to get serious about tackling the rise of these urban land-hogs."

Concerns go beyond congestion and space, with experts linking SUVs to greater risks for vulnerable road users. Their higher fronts, bulkier shapes and reduced driver visibility means they are more dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists.

Campaigners have also criticised SUVs for their significant contribution to climate pollution. Due to their larger size and weight, they consume more fuel and emit higher levels of carbon dioxide than smaller vehicles.

The UK’s best-selling models reflect the SUV boom. Popular models including the Ford Puma, Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai are all classed as crossover SUVs. While even bigger vehicles such as the Range Rover, Skoda Kodiaq and BMW X5 are also ubiquitous on city streets and suburban roads.

With experts and campaigners pressuring the government, speculation is growing that the UK could see parking rules echoing those adopted in cities like Paris, meaning SUV drivers in the UK could face new rules and additional costs that may make these vehicles far less appealing.

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