Global sales of SUVs reached a record high, accounting for 48% of new car sales last year (2023), simultaneously driving carbon emissions to a historic peak. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), even with the increase in sales of electric SUVs, overall carbon emissions from SUVs have not decreased but rather increased, surpassing the 1 billion ton mark, making them the world's fifth-largest "carbon emitting country."

The global number of SUVs has surpassed 360 million, with the trend extending to developing countries.

The latest IEA report indicates that the preference for large vehicles in developed countries has extended to developing countries. Due to SUVs being 200 to 300 KG heavier than standard mid-sized cars, their carbon emissions are approximately 20% higher. With the global number of SUVs exceeding 360 million in 2023, oil consumption has increased by 600,000 barrels per day, accounting for more than a quarter of the overall growth in demand. Additionally, the indirect carbon emissions generated during the production process of SUVs are higher than those of standard car models.

According to IEA statistics, global carbon emissions from SUVs, after maintaining at 900 million tons for two consecutive years, significantly grew to 1 billion tons in 2023. If SUVs were considered a country, their carbon emissions would surpass those of Japan and other major economies, rising one position to become one of the top five "carbon emitting nations."

Despite 20% of SUVs sold last year being either pure electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles, and their proportion continuing to increase, larger vehicles require larger batteries. This not only puts pressure on the supply of critical minerals for batteries but also demands more operational electricity, which ironically results in more carbon emissions.

Report analysts Laura Cozzi and Apostolos Petropoulos explicitly stated, "Although advancements in fuel efficiency and vehicle electrification technology have been made, the surge in popularity of heavier and less efficient vehicles like SUVs has almost negated the progress in carbon reduction achieved by cars over the past decade."

The carbon emissions of electric SUVs have not decreased but increased, leading Paris to vote for higher parking fees based on vehicle weight.

The UK non-profit organization Possible believes that the increase in SUV sales is partly due to marketing campaigns by car manufacturers that enhance the consumer perception of SUVs as more comfortable and even as a status symbol. This view aligns with that of the IEA. James Nix, the Vehicle Policy Manager at Transport and Environment (T&E), further criticizes, stating, "Car manufacturers, in pursuit of higher profits, only focus on making cars bigger and heavier."

In response to SUVs hindering global decarbonization efforts, the IEA suggests strategies such as using fewer materials in car production and setting fuel efficiency standards based on vehicle size. They also point out that countries like France and Norway have already enacted or are in the process of legislating controls on the number of SUVs.

For example, Paris residents voted in 2024 to approve parking fees based not only on the duration but also on the weight of vehicles. Particularly targeted are gasoline cars weighing 1.6 tons, hybrid vehicles, and electric SUVs weighing over 2 tons, which incur higher fees.

※This text is authorized for reprint from "RECCESSARY," with the original title "SUV Becomes the World's Fifth Largest 'Carbon Emitting Nation'! Electric Vehicle Sales Rise to 20%, Why Are Carbon Emissions Increasing Instead of Decreasing?" by Lin Baiyu. Not subject to CC co-creation licensing terms.

Reference:
1. The Guardian（2024.5.28），Global sales of polluting SUVs hit record high in 2023, data shows
2. SNBC（2024.3.11），Paris has hiked parking charges on SUVs. Now cities like London are taking note
3. IEA（2024.5.28），SUVs are setting new sales records each year – and so are their emissions
4. Independent（2023.10.17），New SUVs are ‘reversing climate progress’ by emitting more pollution than old cars

Source:
Environmental Information Center