Growth and Increase in Vehicle Size and Weight: An Examination of the Reason Behind This Trend and Its Significance
In a bid to combat climate change and promote sustainable urban living, several countries and automakers are embracing a shift towards smaller, lighter, and more efficient vehicles. This movement, often referred to as the fight against "carbesity," aims to reduce the environmental and societal costs associated with larger, heavier cars.
France and Norway, for instance, have implemented weight-based taxes for cars, offering extra allowances for electric vehicles (EVs) to compensate for their battery weights. Paris has tripled parking fees for large cars, while the Dutch municipality of Kaatsheuvel has decided not to allow large SUVs or pick-up trucks in certain areas.
Japan has taken a unique approach with its K-cars, tiny vehicles with engines up to 660 cc and 80 horse powers. These vehicles, which offer a host of benefits, have even prompted Caterham to downsize its Seven to meet the requirements.
E-fuels, while expected to be expensive, are seen as a potential solution for automakers struggling to transition to EVs by 2030. These fuels, made from green hydrogen and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, could be revised in EU regulations. However, it's important to note that e-fuels, like any fuel, should be used in energy-efficient, light vehicles to maximise their benefits.
The environmental and societal consequences of larger cars are far-reaching. They consume more fuel, leading to increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, increased road wear, and higher pollutant emissions from tire and brake wear. Larger and heavier vehicles also contribute to urban sprawl, taking up more public space and leaving less room for the livable, likeable city.
However, electrification is changing the impact of car weight. EVs, while heavier than internal combustion engine (ICE) cars, achieve higher energy efficiency due to their more efficient electric drivetrains and the ability to recover energy during braking. This means that "carbesity" is being partly offset by electric technology innovations, although heavier EVs may cause more particulate matter from tire wear.
Environmentally, EVs have up to 73-78% lower lifecycle carbon emissions than comparable gasoline cars, especially when powered by renewable electricity. Their higher manufacturing emissions due to battery production are offset within the first few years of use. However, in regions heavily reliant on coal for electricity, the carbon advantage of EVs is reduced.
Societally, larger and heavier cars increase the severity of accidents, cause more infrastructure damage due to heavier loads, and require higher resource use in manufacturing and disposal. The trend towards bigger vehicles also conflicts with urban mobility goals and climate policies.
To counterbalance the effects of increasing vehicle size and weight, several solutions and legislative efforts are proposed or ongoing. These include fuel economy and emissions standards, weight-based or footprint-based regulations, electrification mandates and incentives, urban planning and consumer incentives to favour smaller cars, public transit, and alternative mobility modes.
In summary, the move to heavier "carbose" vehicles increases environmental and societal costs mainly through more fuel use and emissions. However, electric technologies are mitigating some of these impacts. Regulatory strategies focus on tight fuel economy/emission standards, electrification, and encouraging smaller vehicle choices to counterbalance the effects of increasing vehicle size and weight. The basic equation in electric vehicles is that the smaller the car, the easier it is to electrify.
- Mattias Goldmann, a proponent of environmental-science, posits that combating "autobesity" through urban planning, lighter vehicles, and sustainable lifestyle choices could significantly reduce the carbon emissions associated with heavy cars and contribute to a healthier environment.
- In the realm of finance, an increasing number of banks are recognizing the importance of sustainable investment, offering finance options for buyers of electric vehicles (EVs) and promoting lighter automotive technologies, thereby supporting a shift away from "carobesity."
- The sports sector is also taking strides towards a greener future. With the growing trend of "e-racing," technological innovations in energy-efficient, light weight racing cars can serve as a model for the broader automotive industry in the fight against "carbesity" and its negative environmental and societal impacts.
