The Volkswagen Polo is the size of a Golf III, the 5 Series is longer than the biggest BMW of 30 years ago… It may not have escaped your notice, but our modern cars have gained a few centimeters and a few kilograms in recent years.
And this is what the research of the public organization “Transport and Environment” emphasizes. In recent years, the width of cars of all categories has increased significantly, which, in particular, creates certain “problems” for city traffic and parking.
In Europe, new cars grow an average of one centimeter every two yearsand around half of new cars sold are now too wide for standard street parking spaces.
General trend for all categories
The ranking of the 100 best-selling cars in Europe also increased an average of 2.5 centimeters wide as of 2018from 177.8 to 180.3 cm. This upward trend is permanent, with the average car width in the European Union reaching 170.5 cm in 2021, according to the International Council for Clean Transport (ICCT).
Such popular models as Peugeot 3008, Renault Clio, Skoda Fabia and Fiat Panda have increased by three to five centimeters in width in their latest versions. Luxury SUVs such as the BMW X5, X6 and XM have exceeded two meters in width, underscoring particularly notable growth in this category.
The dangers of cars that are too big
Germany, Great Britain and Spain are identified as the countries where buyers choose wider cars the most. The NGO highlights the negative consequences of this trend, including the potential danger to cyclists, pedestrians (especially children) and other motorists when vehicles that are too wide leave the pavement or road.
To remedy this situation, the NGO proposes measures such as higher parking fees for large cars, tax breaks for vehicles with a larger capacity and a review of the maximum permitted width for new cars during the next update of European legislation, scheduled for the coming months.
Paris City Hall is cited as an example of a plan to increase parking fees for large cars.
Read also:
ZFE: According to some, they would benefit the auto industry
ZFE radars: how to spot them accurately?
ZFE: What is the future impact on our way of life?
Source: Auto Plus
Robert is an experienced journalist who has been covering the automobile industry for over a decade. He has a deep understanding of the latest technologies and trends in the industry and is known for his thorough and in-depth reporting.