01/07/2026
🚘Brace yourselves, UK drivers! The growing size of SUVs could slash thousands of parking spaces across the country by 2040, according to new research. It's a battle between bigger cars and shrinking parking spots.
Campaigners warn that if cars keep getting wider, longer, and taller, towns and cities will have to redesign roads and parking bays. Transport & Environment estimates that between 8.5% and 14% of on-street spaces could vanish, with London alone possibly losing 100,000.
Manufacturers say these bigger cars are necessary for safety, with crumple zones, airbags, and pedestrian protection features taking up more space. But campaigners point to safety risks for vulnerable road users, claiming higher bonnets make it harder to see children.
⚠️New cars are 1.2cm longer each year
⚠️Width, height, and bonnet height increase by 0.5cm annually
⚠️SUVs now make up a third of new car sales
⚠️Some popular models are noticeably larger with each new version
Imagine searching even longer for a spot because cars simply don't fit in the old ones. It's a genuine concern for everyday driving.
This debate between car size, safety, and urban space is only going to get bigger. Are larger vehicles a necessary evil for safety, or are they causing more problems than they solve?
Tap to read the full breakdown and see if it affects you: https://www.regit.cars/car-news/growing-suvs-could-reduce-uk-parking-spaces-by-up-to-10-by-2040-campaigners-warn
