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Mayor to consider new charges for SUVs in London

Tom Edwards,Transport Correspondent, BBC Londonand
Victoria Cook,BBC London
News imageGetty Images A black SUV is parked outside a brick building in London. A yellow crook lock can be seen on the wheel Getty Images
Campaigners say the size of SUVs prevent children from being able to see oncoming traffic before crossing the road

The mayor of London is considering charging large SUVs to drive in the capital, after Transport for London (TfL) research suggested they were "creating immediate and intensifying risks across London".

The proposal was published as part of a new Vision Zero action plan in which TfL looked at the safety of SUVs.

The plan is part of the mayor's strategy to eradicate death and serious injury from London's roads by 2041.

Figures from City Hall indicate SUVs, if involved in a collision, are much more likely to kill a pedestrian than smaller cars are.

News imageGetty Images A large black SUV is parked outside shops on Ravensdale Road in N36, including a shoe repair and key cutting business. There are Victorian style markings on the brickwork above the shops, advertising businesses that used to be thereGetty Images
According to the campaign group Clean Cities, the number of SUVs has increased tenfold in London in 20 years

According to the campaign group Clean Cities, the number of SUVs has increased tenfold in London in 20 years from about 80,000 SUVs in 2002 to 800,000 SUVs in 2023.

Analysis in the plan states: "Large SUVs are physically reshaping urban streets, with half of new cars now too wide for minimum specified parking spaces.

"They take up more road space, leaving less for people cycling and motorcycling, and block sight lines needed to cross or use the road safely.

"Their bulk makes junctions, crossings and residential streets more hazardous for everybody outside the vehicle."

"Without action to address oversized and heavier vehicles, more people will be seriously injured or killed."

The new plan sets out 43 actions to reduce risks on the roads including using AI to detect dangerous drivers, more 20mph speed limits and 1,000 new pedestrian crossings.

What is an SUV?

  • It stands for Sports Utility Vehicle
  • It refers to a type of car that sits high up, off the ground
  • It often has four-wheel drive and sturdy styling
  • An SUV is generally built with mechanical parts designed for rugged use

Mike Hawes, from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), said "SUV is a marketing term with no specific definition.

"However, every car sold in the UK, regardless of size, is certified to exacting safety and pedestrian protection standards, part of the reason why the UK has one of the world's best road safety records.

"Manufacturers also invest billions in advanced safety technology such as automated braking systems, assisting licensed drivers to get around more safely while protecting other road users such as pedestrians, mopeds and e-bikes.

"Singling out specific cars based on size restricts consumer choice and would unfairly penalise the many drivers who require a larger vehicle for essential mobility."

'Children vulnerable to blind spots'

Campaigners have been calling for some time for restrictions on larger cars in London.

Nicola Pastore from Solve the School Run told the BBC: "We really welcome steps from TfL and local authorities to increase charges for SUVs.

"We get contacted by so many parents who are really worried about their children's safety and exposure to road danger - the number and size of supersized SUVs on the streets at the moment is often their number one concern."

The campaigner explained that children were vulnerable to blind spots under SUV bonnets and said their size can make it difficult for children to see when crossing the road.

Pastore said that the idea of a charge for SUVs was a "good start", but said: "We'd really like to see national government action on having some regulation around how wide and how big these cars can get," and said it should look at "fairer vehicle tax."

News imageGetty Images A dark grey SUV drives past some traffic lights in LondonGetty Images
The Vision Zero action plan is supported by London Fire Brigade, the Metropolitan Police, and London Ambulance Service

A spokesperson for the mayor said it was "a startling figure" that "SUVs are 77% more likely to kill a child if involved in a collision".

They added: "The mayor has asked TfL to undertake detailed analysis of the safety risks posed by large SUVs and their wider impact on London's roads.

"This could then inform any future policy proposals in London or recommendations to government or the sector.

"As the numbers of large SUVs increase on London's roads, it is right that TfL consider their impact on safety and how they affect other road users."

The ideas will be considered by City Hall, but as yet no decisions have been made on future charges for SUVs.

Lilli Matson, TfL's safety officer, said: "We cannot accept that it is inevitable that anyone should lose their life while travelling in the capital.

"This new five‑year plan sets out the clear, evidence‑led actions we know will save lives."

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