Summary
Cars in the UK and Europe are becoming larger and heavier, a trend referred to as "carspreading." Some cities, like Paris, are taking measures to reduce the number of these large vehicles due to concerns about pollution and traffic. New rules, such as increased parking fees for heavy cars, have been implemented to encourage a shift towards smaller, less polluting vehicles.
Key Facts
- Cars in the UK and Europe are getting longer, wider, and heavier.
- Paris has increased parking fees for heavy vehicles to reduce pollution and traffic congestion.
- This change in Paris led to a two-thirds reduction in the number of heavy cars parking on city streets.
- The average width of new car models increased from 182 cm to 187.5 cm from 2018 to now.
- Cardiff, UK, plans to raise parking permit costs for cars weighing more than 2,400 kg.
- Critics say bigger cars may not fit well on narrow roads and create more emissions.
- Some car owners, like business owner Matt Mansell, argue they need large vehicles for practical reasons.
