When picturing cars in the United States, imposing SUVs and robust pick-up trucks often come to mind. This isn’t just a cinematic stereotype; data confirms that vehicles in the U.S. are indeed growing in size and weight. A significant portion of new car sales – over half – are SUVs, predominantly the larger models. This trend, and its implications on vehicle size, efficiency, and fuel economy in the US, was previously discussed.
While the United States might be leading this trend, the rest of the world is increasingly following suit. Globally, cars are becoming heavier, and SUVs are capturing a larger share of the automotive market. This article will explore the global landscape of car sizes, compare different countries, and delve into the crucial reasons why this growing preference for Big Cars is significant.
Big Car Affinity: America, Canada, and Australia Lead the Way
How does vehicle size vary across different nations?
The chart below illustrates the average weight of passenger cars across various countries in 2021, based on data from the International Energy Agency (IEA).
The United States, Canada, and Australia stand out with the heaviest cars, each averaging just under 1800 kilograms (approximately 1.8 metric tons). While larger vehicles in Canada might be rationalized by harsh winters and heavy snowfall, the necessity for massive cars in Australia is less obvious.
Mid-range countries, often with high or upper-middle incomes, show a diverse range of car weights.
Conversely, the smallest and lightest cars are typically found in lower-income nations like Indonesia, Malaysia, and India. However, there are some notable exceptions. France and Italy have surprisingly compact cars, and Japan boasts some of the lightest cars globally despite its economic wealth. The average Japanese car weighs only about two-thirds of its American counterpart.
This preference for smaller cars in Japan isn’t due to affordability. Instead, it’s driven by policy and cultural factors. Japan has a unique category of compact cars known as “Kei cars,” which are immensely popular. The Japanese government has long incentivized Kei cars through tax breaks and insurance benefits. Their lower cost and higher fuel efficiency make them ideal for densely populated cities like Tokyo.
Average car weight by country in 2021, highlighting the prevalence of big cars in the US, Canada, and Australia.
The Global Upsizing: Cars Are Getting Heavier Everywhere
The trend of increasing car size is not confined to the US, Canada, and Australia. It’s a global phenomenon.
Cars are becoming heavier in almost every region.
The subsequent chart tracks the change in average car weight in the United States and European countries since the year 2000. Between 2001 and 2020, the average car weight in the EU increased by approximately 13%.
Some countries experienced even more significant increases. Austrian cars are now about one-third heavier, while in the UK, Spain, and Finland, car weights have risen by 25%. Sweden has seen a 20% increase in car weight.
Portugal was the only country in this dataset where cars became marginally lighter.
While European data provides a long-term perspective, shorter-term data reveals that cars are also getting heavier outside of Europe. In China, cars are 20% heavier than in 2005, and in Argentina and India, they are roughly 10% heavier.
Trends in vehicle weight increase in Europe and the US since 2000, demonstrating the growing preference for big cars.
Two primary factors are driving this increase in car weight.
Firstly, the average size of standard car types, such as sedans and wagons, is increasing. As previously noted, the average sedan in the US is now 15% heavier than it was a few decades ago.
Secondly, there’s a growing global shift towards SUVs (sport utility vehicles), which are generally heavier than standard cars.
This surge in SUV popularity is almost universal. SUVs now constitute nearly half of all new car and van sales worldwide. As the chart below shows, this isn’t limited to just a few nations. In Canada and the US, SUVs make up well over half of new car sales. In China, it’s over 40%, and in India, nearly one in three new vehicles sold is an SUV.
Japan remains a notable exception, where SUV sales are rising but still significantly lag behind global trends.
Global SUV sales market share, illustrating the worldwide demand for big cars, particularly SUVs.
The Repercussions of Size: Why Big Cars Pose Challenges
Why is the increasing size and weight of cars a concern? There are several significant reasons.
1. Fuel Efficiency and Carbon Footprint: Bigger Cars, Lower Efficiency
The most evident consequence of big cars is their impact on fuel economy and climate change. Generally, heavier vehicles require more fuel and, consequently, emit more CO2.
The chart below correlates average CO2 emissions per kilometer with average car weight by country.
It reveals a positive correlation: heavier cars tend to have poorer fuel economy and higher CO2 emissions. While weight isn’t the sole determinant – design and technology also play crucial roles – the trend is clear. Lower-middle-income countries like Indonesia and Malaysia exhibit poor CO2 economy despite having lighter cars, while Europe demonstrates better CO2 economy despite heavier vehicles, showcasing the impact of technology and regulations.
Relationship between vehicle weight and CO2 emissions, highlighting the environmental impact of big cars.
Looking more closely at fuel and carbon efficiency, the next chart ranks countries from least to most efficient.
Canada has the poorest fuel economy. French and Japanese drivers use only two-thirds the fuel per kilometer compared to Canadians, resulting in significantly better CO2 economy. The US and Australia, driven by their preference for big cars, are also among the least fuel-efficient.
Fuel efficiency comparison across countries, emphasizing the higher fuel consumption associated with big cars in certain regions.
It’s important to note that fuel economy has generally improved over time due to technological advancements, even as cars have become larger. Modern cars are significantly more efficient than their predecessors from 50 years ago, despite increased size.
For example, the average car in the US achieves double the miles per gallon compared to 1975, even with the rise of SUVs.
However, the point remains that some of these efficiency gains have been offset by the trend towards big cars. Fuel economy has improved, but it could have improved much more significantly.
A global shift towards smaller cars would lead to a substantial reduction in oil consumption and CO2 emissions.
2. Local Air Pollution: Big Cars Exacerbate the Problem
Increased fuel consumption not only impacts the climate but also contributes to local air pollution. Road transport is a major source of air pollution, particularly in urban areas. Vehicle pollution levels depend on various factors.
Fuel consumption is a key factor: burning more fuel, whether petrol or diesel, generates more tailpipe emissions.
Heavier cars also contribute to pollution through tire wear and the suspension of road surface particles.
In general, smaller cars are better for mitigating local pollution and protecting public health.
3. Urban Planning Challenges: Cities Not Designed for SUVs
Many cities were originally designed for smaller cars from previous decades. Current parking spaces, driveways, and street widths are often inadequate for today’s larger vehicles.
This might seem like a minor issue, but it has significant implications. As cars grow larger, infrastructure must adapt. This necessitates larger driveways, wider streets, and more expansive parking lots, contributing to urban sprawl and inefficient land use.
4. Safety Paradox: Personal Safety vs. Public Risk
There’s a concerning paradox regarding car size and accident safety. Extensive research has explored the relationship between car size/weight and road safety.
Occupants of big cars are generally safer in accidents due to better protection. However, this increased personal safety comes at the cost of increased risk to others. A collision with a smaller car from a larger vehicle imparts greater force, significantly increasing the likelihood of severe injury or fatality for occupants of the smaller vehicle.
Pedestrians also face heightened risks. Heavier cars exert more force upon impact. Furthermore, the impact location differs with taller vehicles. Smaller cars are more likely to impact a pedestrian’s legs, potentially throwing them onto the hood. Big cars, however, are more likely to strike the torso or head, increasing the risk of internal organ damage, brain injury, and the pedestrian being thrown under the vehicle.
Research supports this. Pedestrians struck by SUVs, pick-up trucks, or minivans are significantly more likely to suffer fatal or severe brain injuries compared to those hit by conventional cars. Studies suggest that pedestrian mortality rates are at least 50% higher, and potentially 2 to 3 times higher, in collisions involving larger vehicles.
Analyzing US road fatality trends from 2000 to 2018 reveals a 32% decrease in motorist deaths, but a 20% increase in pedestrian fatalities.
This creates a dangerous feedback loop. As more big cars populate roads, the perceived need to drive a larger vehicle for personal safety increases, further exacerbating the issue.
5. Electric Vehicle Market: A Potential Big Car Arms Race
The growing market for big cars has significant implications for the transition to electric vehicles (EVs).
EVs, due to their battery packs, are inherently heavier than comparable gasoline-powered cars. The concern is that the existing trend towards larger vehicles will translate into an “arms race” for ever-larger EVs. This is already evident in the market, with numerous large, luxury EVs available.
Conversely, there’s a scarcity of smaller, more affordable EV models. This high entry price point for EVs makes them inaccessible to many consumers.
While manufacturers’ focus on SUV and big car markets is understandable given current consumer demand, electrifying the entire car fleet requires models across the full price and size spectrum. A greater availability of smaller, affordable EVs is crucial. The continued preference for large gasoline cars hinders this transition.
Embracing smaller, more efficient vehicles is essential for a sustainable and safer future of transportation.
