SUV drivers in London could soon face higher taxes and parking fees.

It follows renewed calls from London Assembly Members who argue that the increasing size and weight of these vehicles pose a growing threat to road safety and infrastructure.

Larger SUV-styled vehicles now represent the biggest-selling type of new car.

Capital offence?

In a recent vote at City Hall, 14 Assembly Members backed a motion urging Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to introduce harsher financial penalties for SUV owners in the capital.

The proposal includes raising Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax) for larger vehicles, increasing parking charges, and requesting borough councils to revise local policies to discourage oversized cars on city streets.

The London Assembly, which functions as a watchdog for the Greater London Authority (GLA) and the mayor, is calling for a broader rethink of how London manages the growing presence of SUVs — officially known as Sports Utility Vehicles — which now account for nearly 40% of new car sales across the UK.

Labour Assembly Member Elly Baker, who introduced the motion, argued that SUVs contribute disproportionately to urban problems.

“Their greater size, weight, and higher bonnets put vulnerable road users at greater risk, reduce available parking spaces, and cause more wear and tear on our roads,” she said. “It’s time we took sensible steps to manage the impact of oversized cars and ensure our streets remain safe and accessible.”

Exercising concerns

Critics of SUVs cite numerous studies that show these vehicles are more hazardous in collisions with pedestrians and cyclists.

A 2023 Transport for London report found that SUVs are 25% more likely to cause fatal injuries to pedestrians than standard cars, mainly due to their elevated front profiles and heavier build.

Road maintenance is another concern.

The heavier weight of SUVs contributes to increased damage to already ageing infrastructure.

According to the Local Government Association, councils across England incur an estimated £1 billion annually to maintain pothole-ridden roads — a cost that campaigners argue should be more equitably distributed.

The motion also calls on the Department for Transport (DfT) to consider national restrictions on vehicle size and bonnet height, echoing growing international concerns.

In Paris, a new parking surcharge for SUVs is set to begin in 2025, and campaigners hope London will follow suit.

Traffic calming

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London responded cautiously, noting that Sadiq Khan remains committed to making roads safer through the city’s Vision Zero strategy.

“The mayor, Transport for London and borough partners are working to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on our roads, by expanding the cycle network, making road crossings and junctions safer, reducing speed limits, and making larger vehicles like HGVs and buses safer,” they said. “This year the mayor will be refreshing his Vision Zero action plan to respond to new and emerging risks.”

Not everyone is in favour of the move. Eight Assembly Members voted against the proposal, with critics arguing that families and drivers in outer boroughs rely on larger vehicles for space and utility, especially in areas with limited public transport.

Nevertheless, pressure is mounting for policy reform.

Environmental and safety campaigners say the city must do more to prioritise vulnerable road users, reduce emissions, and adapt urban infrastructure to meet modern demands.

Whether or not the Mayor adopts the Assembly’s recommendations, the message is clear: London’s days of tolerating oversized urban vehicles without penalty may soon be over.