Peter Vosper: Why gas-guzzling giants are so popular

In 2024 SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicles) were responsible for 54 per cent of the world’s new car sales. 

This includes petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric vehicles and is an increase of three per cent on 2023, according to GlobalData. 

Forecasters had predicted a move towards smaller and more environmentally friendly vehicles because of the energy crisis and the cost-of-living increases. 

Of the SUVs that are on the road, both new and used models, 95 per cent are burning fossil fuels but manufacturers say new fleets of SUVs are increasingly becoming electric and not all SUVs sold now cause an increase in emissions.

People like SUVs because they are spacious, have greater ground clearance and have a better view of the road. 

Environmental campaigners argue that their manufacturing consumes significant resources because of their size. Experts also maintain they require larger batteries to power their electric versions, which increase the demand for critical minerals, putting even more pressure on the planet.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Manufacturers and Traders, said: “Manufacturers respond to consumer demand and, increasingly, drivers are attracted to dual purpose vehicles given their practicality, comfort and good view of the road”.

Dudley Curtis, the communications manager of the European Transport Safety Council, argues: “It is the industry that has driven demand through huge advertising and marketing campaigns in recent years. SUVs offered the industry a way of charging more for a vehicle that does the same thing {as others}.”

The IEA says that when compared to medium-sized cars which run on petrol and diesel, SUVs burn more than 20 per cent more of such fuels as they weigh up to 300 kilos more on average.

Industry representatives say this is not true. “Around two in five of these (new) vehicle models are zero emission as their body type lends itself well to electrification with longer battery range that can reassure consumers concerned about charging accessibility,” said Hawes from the SMMT. 

“This has led to the average CO2 emissions of new dual-purpose cars more than halving since 2000, helping the segment lead the decarbonisation of UK road mobility.”

Although world sales of SUVs have grown there is evidence that alternatives in smaller vehicles have taken sales from pure SUVs. 

This is not surprising with more cars on narrower roads in many European countries. 

Here in the UK we have many rural areas of which Devon and Cornwall are perfect examples. 

New designs have meant that cars such as the Kia Sportage and the Puma are best sellers although in Cornwall, which has no motorway, the Renault Clio is top of the new sales charts. 

Also in many rural areas cars are a necessity to travel because of inadequate public transport. This adds to costs and therefore small economical cars are popular for commuters and second cars in the family. 

I believe as more small electric vehicles arrive in the marketplace and infrastructure and range improve, electric vehicles will become the best sellers. 

We await the lead from the government following the consultancy document outlining the way forward for electric vehicles, which must be due shortly.