This is no longer surprising. SUVs are growing in France and in Europe. In 2022 more than 50% of registered vehicles on the Old Continent left this category. Since their emergence in the 90s and thanks to their massive deployment since the 2010s, they have appropriated all the once-popular categories. On point replacement of city cars, sedans and minivans traditional, for example. Now is the time of crossovers, relief sedans, active minivans. Marketing terms that skillfully disguise great replacement they have been working on the European market for 20 years. With the advent of electric cars, however, the SUV’s reign may be coming to an endand this is what Vincent Kobe, director of Citroën, says.

Aerodynamics and weight burden their autonomy

In an interview with our British colleagues at Auto Express, the boss of the Chevron brand does predict a bleak future for this category of vehicles. The reason? their aerodynamics. Electric cars are gradually replacing our thermal models, SUVs are no exception and should also switch to electric cars. In addition, for the electric model and competition for better autonomyThis category of vehicles with less than optimal dynamics makes them very energy-intensive and limits their autonomy. SUV and electricity, according to Vincent Kobe, cannot coexist. “You can lose 50 kilometers of range on a model with bad aerodynamics. Between an SUV and a sedan, this figure is even 60, 70, even 80 kilometers “. The modern large diesel and gasoline family SUVs that’s why they take time with electricity.

Mutate to survive?

This too the weight of these vehicles which he attracts. “In the 1970s, a car weighed an average of 700 kilograms. Today we are 1,700 kilos more, and tomorrow 2 tons more.” A technical limitation for producers, to which is now added – at least in France – a unfavorable taxation. The government actually introduced a tax on the weight of vehicles. The principle of equipping SUVs with a larger battery to compensate for their poor aerodynamics is no longer a miracle solution. Large family SUVsand, in particular, segment D, therefore are under threat. “The A segment was killed by regulations, the D segment will be killed by aerodynamics and weight,” he added.

The only solution? Make these SUVs more compact and that’s it the new trend of off-road coupes or off-road sedans. Renault Arkana, Peugeot 408, Citroën C4X are only French. As such, EVs could reshuffle the SUV market and underwrite the return of more diverse models such as small roadsters (Tesla, MG). Back to fun cars?