The negative impact on the climate from passenger vehicles, which is considerable, could have dropped by more than 30% over the past decade if not for the world’s appetite for large cars, a new report from the Global Fuel Economy Initiative suggests.
Sport utility vehicles, or SUVs, now account for more than half of all new car sales across the globe, the group said, and it’s not alone. The International Energy Agency, using a narrower definition of SUV, estimates they make up nearly half.
Over the years these cars have gotten bigger and so has their cost to the climate, as carbon dioxide emissions “are almost directly proportional to fuel use” for gas-powered cars. The carbon that goes in at the pump comes out the tailpipe.
Transportation is responsible for around one-quarter of all the climate-warming gases that come from energy, and much of that is attributable to passenger transport, according to the International Energy Agency.
Tax by weight, because heavier cars mean more wear on the roads.
California already does this through registration fees. My 2010 Wrangler was $280 to renew the past October, my new work truck will probably be close to $900/year.
We already do. Gas taxes are incredibly common and bigger cars use more gas (thus pay more tax).
That won’t work when they’re all electric
Electricity taxes are also incredibly common. Bigger electric cars use more electricity and thus pay more taxes as well.
Gas taxes aren’t enough. They’re a fixed amount, rather than percentage and rarely change so have dropped way below inflation. I remember seeing an infographic here that they’re well under half the road cost in most states
It could work! Although, if you’re already getting a $50,000++ SUV it’s going to take a pretty big number to make you rethink your purchase.
Some other regulation to dissuade companies from selling bigger vehicles would help.
Maybe do something to raise the price of gas so filling up a 20-40 gallon SUV looks a lot less affordable than an economy car. (Of course that would also fuck the economy silly but so will climate change).
I kind of miss the small 2000-2400 lb cars of the 90s. My little 2 door Sentra SE-R got 25 mpg city and 35 mpg hwy and always fast passed the emissions dyno test.
I was comparing the Corolla, 2000 and 2023 model years. While the new one gets slightly better mileage, it is 600 lb heavier. I’m assuming the weight is in part due to the reinforced cabin and doors and a bazillion miles of wiring for all the additional computers and electronics. I wonder what kind of mileage a 2500 lb car would get with a modern drivetrain.