Half of all new cars are now SUVs, making them a major cause of the intensifying climate crisis, say experts
Sales of SUVs hit a new record in 2023, making up half of all new cars sold globally, data has revealed. Experts warned that the rising sales of the large, heavy vehicles is pushing up the carbon emissions that drive global heating.
The analysis, by the International Energy Agency, found that the rising emissions from SUVs in 2023 made up 20% of the global increase in CO2, making the vehicles a major cause of the intensifying climate crisis. If SUVs were a country, the IEA said, they would be the world’s fifth-largest emitter of CO2, ahead of the national emissions of both Japan and Germany.
Climate-fuelled extreme weather is increasing, with urgent cuts in emissions needed. But emissions from the global transport sector have risen fast in recent years, outside of the Covid pandemic. SUV sales rose 15% in 2023, compared with a 3% rise for conventional cars.
I suspect the definitions here are being very liberally used to make the issue look worse than it is. I’d almost guarantee a majority of these vehicles are actually CUVs, essentially tall sedans with 4 or 6 cylinder engines and decent fuel efficiency, and not SUVs like the Tahoe, Suburban, Expedition, etc that are sitting on full frames with V8 engines getting 12MPG.
I also agree the whole ‘status symbol’ angle is bunk too as nobody is looking at your Nissan Rogue or Jeep Compass as a status symbol.