Growing Demand for Larger Cars Offsets Gains from Cleaner Technology; Electric Vehicles Offer a Solution

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According to a recent report from the Global Fuel Economy Initiative, the substantial negative impact on the environment caused by passenger vehicles could have seen a reduction of over 30% in the past decade if it weren’t for the global preference for larger automobiles. Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) now dominate the automotive market, constituting more than half of all new car sales worldwide, with the International Energy Agency estimating a nearly equivalent figure using a more specific SUV definition.

Over time, these vehicles have not only grown in size but have also amplified their environmental cost. Carbon dioxide emissions from gas-powered cars are closely tied to fuel consumption, meaning that the carbon emitted at the pump is directly proportionate to what emerges from the vehicle’s tailpipe.

Transportation accounts for approximately 25% of all greenhouse gas emissions related to energy, and a significant portion of this stems from passenger transport, as reported by the International Energy Agency.

The Global Fuel Economy Initiative suggests that the adverse environmental impact of SUVs could have been reduced by more than one-third between 2010 and 2022 if consumers had continued to opt for smaller cars. This initiative, comprising various cleaner vehicle organizations worldwide, proposes one solution to this problem: electric vehicles (EVs).

George Parrott, a resident of West Sacramento, California, made the switch to cleaner vehicles in 2004 when he purchased a Toyota Prius hybrid. He has since owned multiple fully electric cars, including a Genesis GV60 electric SUV and a Tesla Model 3, citing broad environmental concerns as his motivation. He and his late partner were also aware of their region’s poor air quality, prompting them to minimize their impact on the environment.

However, in the United States, not all consumers view energy consumption and environmental benefits in the same light. While EV sales accounted for 15% of the global car market last year, the figure was only 7.3% in the U.S.

Meanwhile, smaller vehicles or sedans have seen a substantial decline in the U.S. market over the past decade. In 2012, sedans accounted for 50% of the U.S. auto retail space, with SUVs at just over 30% and trucks at 13.5%, but by 2022, U.S. sedan market share had plummeted to 21%, while SUVs claimed 54.5% and trucks grew to 20%.

The preference for larger vehicles is evident, with many consumers desiring spacious, 7-passenger options. Although large SUVs like the Chevrolet Tahoe, Toyota Sequoia, or Nissan Armada may achieve highway gas mileages of 28, 24, and 19, respectively, they remain less efficient than sedans due to their heavier weight. Encouragingly, compact SUVs like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, offering 35 and 34 highway miles-per-gallon, respectively, have gained prominence, accounting for about 18% of new vehicle sales last year.

Efforts by U.S. government agencies, including the Department of Transportation, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, are underway to enhance the fuel economy and reduce tailpipe emissions of gas-powered vehicles. However, some of these initiatives may impact the SUV segment, leading to industry concerns.

While electric vehicle options have expanded, there’s a need to consider the environmental aspects when replacing an SUV with an EV, as highlighted by Loren McDonald, CEO of market analysis firm EVAdoption. He emphasizes that merely electrifying vehicles is insufficient; attention should also be directed towards reducing vehicle weight and enhancing efficiency, which requires smaller battery packs. The industry is striving to advance battery technology to achieve this while minimizing the use of critical minerals.

These findings from the Global Fuel Economy Initiative are expected to be highly relevant at the upcoming COP28 U.N. climate change talks.

[Author: Alexa St. John, Big Big News climate solutions reporter]

[Note: The article concludes with acknowledgments related to funding and the publication’s responsibility for content.]

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Climate Impact of SUVs

More about Climate Impact of SUVs

• Global Fuel Economy Initiative
• International Energy Agency
• American Lung Association’s polluted cities list
• Edmunds – U.S. Auto Retail Market Share
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
• EVAdoption – Market Analysis Firm
• COP28 U.N. climate change talks
• [Big Big News Climate Initiative](Link not provided)