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How is the SUV boom impacting air quality?


What is an SUV?


SUV is the industry jargon that stands for 'Sports Utility Vehicle'.  It refers to a type of car that sits high off the ground and which often has four-wheel drive and rugged styling.


Where has the SUV trend come from?


The popularity of heavy, bulky and polluting SUVs in city centres is on the rise

Has this trend come from the U.S? Stereotypically, Americans love big cars, wide highways, and spacious driveways to park in. In 2020, The New York Times published an article titled "Rise of S.U.V.s: Leaving Cars in Their Dust, With No Signs of Slowing." And reported that the mega auto giants outsold small compact vehicles at a ratio of two to one the previous year. In 2022, 80 percent of all new cars sold in the U.S were trucks or SUVs, reported the Federal Highway Administration.


The trend of the large SUV has caught on and is now dominating the narrow streets of Europe.


For instance, the new Ferrari Purosangue, equipped with a 6.5L engine, is a prime example. The car has considerable fuel consumption, and according to the Top Gear review it has the worst fuel consumption they’ve seen in a long time. And the cherry on top – the car is completely sold out!


Why is the increasing trend of large SUVs causing a problem?


The concerns regarding SUVs revolve around their dimensions, mass, and energy usage.

An SUV is consistently bigger and heavier than its automobile equivalent. For example, in Europe, an SUV weighs 27 percent more than an ‘average’ car, according to an article in UK motor1. Similarly, in the United States, SUVs are 22 percent heavier than saloon cars.


While SUVs have made strides in emissions, with many transitioning to electric models, their larger size and consequent weight, coupled with manufacturers' promises of powerful, smooth rides, result in higher energy consumption. This increased energy demand translates to higher emissions.


Their increase in weight, in comparison to smaller cars, directly correlates to an increase in particulate emissions. Factors such as tire and brake wear, as well as road deterioration, exacerbate this issue, regardless of whether the SUV is electric or fuel-powered.


The size of SUVs also exacerbates traffic congestion. Instances of having to yield to oncoming SUVs on narrow streets are becoming more common, leading to increased congestion and higher pollutant emissions.


What can be done?


Several measures can be taken to discourage the proliferation of polluting SUVs on our streets. For instance, a recent air quality news article highlighted how residents of Paris voted for a huge significant increase in parking charges for the heaviest, bulkiest and most polluting SUVs in the capital. Starting from September 1st, parking fees for SUVs in central Paris will surge from €6 to €18 per hour. Whether this action will prove effective remains to be seen.


Addressing SUV emissions will primarily involve enhancements in fuel efficiency and a notable transition to electric models. According to the Motor1 article, SUVs have fuelled (no pun intended) the high investments required by automakers to move from the internal combustion engine sector to the purely electric one.


Furthermore, a shift in behaviour is essential. If there's a diminished demand for large SUVs, manufacturers will respond accordingly by producing fewer of them. This necessitates an awareness of the environmental impact associated with driving an SUV and questioning whether it is truly necessary, particularly in urban areas where traffic congestion and poor air quality is a concern.


Are there alternative ways to power vehicles?


Using green electricity directly is currently regarded as the most environmentally sustainable energy source. However, its application to all processes can be challenging, particularly where battery electric solutions may have limitations.


Juergen Guldner, the Manager of Hydrogen Technology at BMW, oversees efforts to decarbonize the automobile giant's production line in the coming decades by integrating green hydrogen. In an  air quality news article discussing green hydrogen, Guldner suggests that the principle is straightforward: the heavier the vehicle, the more practical hydrogen becomes. Research from Germany and the EU Commission indicates that a dual infrastructure—comprising hydrogen and electric charging—is the more cost-effective option for accommodating all vehicles. Could retrofitting petrol stations provide a solution? Guldner highlights hydrogen's advantage in that it can leverage existing gas stations; all that's needed is retrofitting.


How is road traffic affecting planning for developments?

 

It's clear that road traffic remains a significant and ongoing contributor to local air pollution. Hence, it is essential to consider local air quality concentrations when planning any development, particularly if the proposed site is situated in urban areas or near roadsides. Additionally, it's important to assess whether the development itself will introduce new road traffic to the area and evaluate its potential impacts on the local environment.

 

How can we help?

 

Engaging with experts can offer valuable insights into the existing air quality conditions in and around a development site, and can offer early site feasibility assessments to understand if there will be constraints that will require considering and mitigating to gain planning approval.

 

Exe Valley Environmental can help navigate you through the planning process and understanding the air quality consultancy services that may be necessary for your development. We will guide you through each stage, from early design and pre-planning advice, to supporting planning applications and discharging air quality conditions. If you’re unsure about the assessments your project might need in terms of air quality, drop me a call/message or a note via the contact form, for some non-committal advice.

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