Lambeth Council is set to investigate whether larger vehicles such as SUVs present increased dangers to pedestrians and cyclists, potentially paving the way for parking charges based on vehicle weight.
The south London borough announced it would commission a study examining the relationship between vehicle dimensions and road safety risks.
Two other inner London boroughs will be invited to participate in the research, as calls grow for local authorities to take action.
If implemented, Lambeth could become the first UK council to follow Paris in introducing weight-based parking surcharges.
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|Lambeth Council could vote to hike parking charges for large SUVs
The move comes after growing concerns about the environmental impact and safety risks posed by larger vehicles.
The council's decision follows a presentation by local children and parents at a Tuesday night meeting, where they urged action to reduce the number of SUVs in the borough.
Eight-year-old Dotty told councillors that SUVs were harmful to the environment as they required more energy than conventional cars.
She said: "Big cars take up more space and that creates traffic jams in our small streets. I have friends with asthma and these big cars and traffic jams make it worse."
GETTY | Many people have complained that SUVs are too big for roadside parking
Other children in the delegation highlighted how SUV drivers could not see younger children walking directly in front of their vehicles due to high bonnet heights.
Parent Meredith Robertson, who led the delegation, urged councillors to address the growing number of SUVs, which represented 62 per cent of new cars purchased in the UK last year.
"As the size of these cars grow, our children's world gets smaller," the Standard reported.
Deputy leader Rezina Chowdhury responded to the delegation's concerns, stating: "We hear you, we agree and as a borough with equity and justice at our heart, we will act to protect you and other vulnerable residents."
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She explained the council's aim to ensure that at least 25 per cent of kerbside space serves people rather than vehicles, with parking charges reflecting these priorities.
Chowdhury, who oversees Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air, said it was "not fair" that a lot of public space is being used by people who choose to drive larger vehicles.
The Deputy Leader added that it was unfair that people are unable to find a parking space because SUVs take up so much space.
The council will examine methods already implemented in Paris and Cologne, as well as measures taken by Haringey, which has proposed parking permit surcharges based on vehicle size.
REUTERS | Paris recently voted to increase parking charges for SUVs Lambeth already operates emissions-based parking permit charges, a policy adopted by several other boroughs. The council also imposes higher fees for diesel vehicles.
Ms Chowdhury said: "We will commission a study in partnership with two inner London boroughs to understand the relationship between technical vehicle dimensions and road danger.
"We believe the higher bonnet height of vehicles like SUVs is critical in determining the likelihood or severity of injury where there is a collision."
UK research has shown that SUVs are significantly more likely to kill children under 10 in crashes, due to vehicle weight and height.