ENVIRONMENT
Tax SUVs by weight like France and Norway, say green campaigners
Heaviest cars are blamed for causing more environmental damage and posing a greater risk to pedestrians
SUVs have become increasingly popular in Britain but they produce more carbon than smaller vehicles
CHRIS RATCLIFFE/BLOOMBERG VIA GETTY IMAGES
Britain should follow the lead of France and Norway and bring in a weight tax for SUVs to curb carbon emissions, campaigners have urged.
SUVs have soared in popularity in recent years, jumping from 22 per cent of UK new car sales in 2014 to 39 per cent in 2019.
To tackle the higher emissions and safety risks to pedestrians and cyclists, some countries and cities including Washington have introduced taxes based on a vehicle’s weight.
Norway, which is a world leader in electric car take-up, this year introduced a tax of about 93p per kg for new cars weighing more than 500kg. France last year brought in a €10 tax for every kg over 1,800kg, with an exemption for electric vehicles.
The Green Alliance,
