The UK could soon face car parking havoc as new data shows that vehicles will outgrow parking spaces potentially in the coming decades.
Buying intentions from Britons have shifted dramatically in the last 10 years, with SUVs now being the overwhelming favourite vehicle type for motorists.
With the rise of larger vehicles, manufacturers continue to make the cars bigger to meet the demands of their customers, although this could have an impact on car parks across the country.
At present, the average size of a car is 4.52 metres long and 2.03 metres wide, more than 30cm longer and 20cm wider than the average car in 2001.
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Research suggests that vehicles will become too big for standard car park spaces in the coming decades
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The standard UK parking space measures 2.4 metres wide and 4.8 metres long, with many industry experts concerned that this could lead to issues in the coming years.
Data suggests that the predicted length of a vehicle will outgrow a standard parking space by 2059, while the average car will be 2.4 metres wide by 2075.
SUVs now make up more than half of all new car sales in Europe, with data from Transport and Environment showing that UK SUV sales increased by more than a fifth between 2022 and 2023.
It estimates that 75 per cent of new vehicle registrations could come from SUVs by 2027 if consumer appetite for larger vehicles continues to grow at pace.
The organisation warned that since 83 per cent of the SUVs were diesel, hybrids or plugin hybrids, the popularity of these vehicles could have a devastating impact on air quality.
Aidan Rushby, CEO of Carmoola, commented: "The trend of increasing vehicle sizes presents a unique challenge for urban infrastructure.
"As cars grow, it's imperative that our parking solutions evolve in tandem.
"So, next time you're squeezing into a tight parking spot, remember: it's not you; it's the car. And perhaps, it's time to consider downsizing your ride."
The research from Carmoola found that Smart has increased the length of its vehicles by a staggering 15cm and made them 1.6cm wider in the last five years.
MG (8.7cm longer) and Lamborghini (7.9cm longer and 1cm wider) have also supersized their vehicles since 2020.
Research from 2024 reported that just 8.2 per cent of UK councils plan to make parking spaces bigger, even though seven of the 10 most popular brands sell cars that are too long for standard bays.
Despite this, some councils, including Thurrock, Wokingham, South Hams and West Devon, have imposed maximum length restrictions on vehicles, which could see them slapped with fines when using council-run car parks.
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SUVs made up a staggering 62 per cent of new car sales in 2024 TRANSPORT AND ENVIRONMENT Since 2018, more than 357,000 penalty charge notices have been given out to motorists by councils for cars that are too large and parked outside marked bays.
