SUVs are taking up parking spaces in European cities – Up to 14% fewer spaces by 2040

European cities are at risk of losing thousands of parking spaces by 2040, as new cars are getting bigger, with SUVs dominating sales, according to a new report by the European Federation for Transport and Environment.

FILE PHOTO: Details of the interior of a car belonging to the British autonomous driving technology company Wayve Technologies Ltd., showing the steering wheel and various screens, were photographed during London Tech Week in London on 8 June 2026.

BEN STANSALL / AFP

The report estimates that, if the current trend towards larger vehicles continues, European cities will lose between 8.5% and 14% of their available on-street parking spaces.

According to the report, London could lose up to 118,000 parking spaces by 2040, Berlin up to 117,000, Rome up to 95,000, Madrid up to 41,000, Warsaw up to 17,000 and Paris up to 12,000 spaces.

The study shows that, since 2000, the average length of new cars has been increasing by 1.2 centimetres a year, whilst their width and height have been increasing by around 0.5 centimetres a year. As pointed out, car manufacturers are gradually phasing out smaller models, as larger vehicles offer higher profit margins.

Concerns about road safety

The report highlights the potential implications of increased vehicle size, emphasising its impact on both parking and road safety. It is estimated that if this trend continues, there could be an additional 2,500 adult deaths and 79 child deaths on European roads between 2026 and 2040.

Of particular concern is the rise in bonnet height, which is forecast to reach an average of 86.2 centimetres by 2040. Experts point out that children are at greater risk of serious injury or death, as in the event of a collision they are more likely to be struck on the head or chest.

The report also estimates that by 2040, the number of child pedestrian fatalities in road traffic accidents could rise by 40 per cent due to the continuous increase in vehicle size.

Proposals to restrict oversized vehicles

The European Federation for Transport and the Environment is proposing the introduction of European standards for the dimensions of new vehicles. Among other things, it suggests that cars sold from 2036 onwards should have a maximum bonnet height of 85 centimetres and a maximum width of 1.92 metres.

At the same time, it is proposed that registration and road tax be reformed to discourage the purchase of oversized vehicles, linking parking charges to the size and weight of each car, and promoting the use of small electric vehicles up to 4.2 metres in length.

The report also calls on Euro NCAP to incorporate new safety tests that will assess the visibility of young children from the driver’s seat, in order to minimise the risks to the most vulnerable road users. The link for the report: https://www.transportenvironment.org/articles/ever-bigger-car-size-at-a-crossroads

An article written by ERTNews, initially published on 24 June 2026, 10:15 (CEST)