Drivers of larger vehicles could face new taxes and parking rules after support for changes has peaked, with millions backing tougher measures.
It comes after research indicated that more than five million motorists believe operators should impose higher fees on owners of larger vehicles when they use parking facilities.
The study revealed that one in eight participants supported implementing premium pricing for bigger cars in parking areas.
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The survey highlighted widespread dissatisfaction with current parking arrangements, as one-third of respondents reported difficulties navigating around larger vehicles in parking facilities.
Many drivers have agreed that SUVs are too big for use in towns and cities, and take up crucial parking spots
| CLEAN CITIES CAMPAIGNAdditionally, one in 10 motorists suggested implementing preferential parking arrangements for those with smaller cars.
These findings emerge following growing frustration over the mismatch between modern vehicle dimensions and the existing parking infrastructure, with nearly half of drivers indicating that spaces require expansion to accommodate today's vehicles.
The need for change follows reports which found that since parking dimensions were established during the 1970s, today's cars have become approximately 25 per cent larger.
Around a quarter of surveyed motorists expressed the view that existing parking facilities have become unsuitable for their intended purpose.
Nearly one-third of participants advocated for a comprehensive redesign of parking areas to facilitate easier vehicle manoeuvring.
The research also revealed that 16 per cent of drivers support creating larger designated bays for bigger vehicles, which could address the size problem.
SUVs now represent the most popular vehicle category sold in the UK, while safety enhancements continue to increase dimensions across all vehicle segments.
Larger vehicles remain a fan favourite for drivers, although the UK continues to impose some of Europe's most lenient taxation on large SUVs, according to Transport & Environment analysis.
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The organisation explained that an £85,000 BMW X5 faces Vehicle Excise Duty costs of merely £3,200, while French buyers pay £66,600 for comparable models.
This tax disparity has resulted in four times as many large D and E segment SUVs being sold to private purchasers in Britain compared to France.
Since 2021, approximately 4.6 million vehicles exceeding standard urban parking dimensions have been sold in Britain, averaging over 1.2 million annually.
These oversized SUVs, measuring beyond 1.8 metres wide or 4.8 metres long, continue to gain popularity despite concerns about urban congestion and increased risks to pedestrians and cyclists.
The report suggests that SUVs should pay higher taxes due to them producing more pollution
| PAAnna Krajinska, Transport & Environment's UK director, stated: "The UK's continued failure to adequately tax big, polluting cars is continuing to fuel an SUV surge that's clogging our cities and making cars ever more expensive."
Transport & Environment has pushed for substantial increases to VED rates on the most polluting vehicles, which mainly consist of SUVs, as well as enhancing tax differentials between compact electric and petrol models.
The organisation's Good Tax Guide demonstrated how nations with emissions and weight-based taxation systems achieve greater electric vehicle uptake and fewer SUV sales.
Tim Rodie, Motorpoint's driving specialist, suggested that rather than penalising motorists based on vehicle dimensions, authorities should update parking specifications to reflect contemporary vehicle sizes, preventing damage whilst improving accessibility for all drivers.