More or less SUVs? What a stupid question
This page is translated from the original post "Plus ou moins de SUV ? Quelle question stupide" in French.
- 04/02/2024 9:04
In 2 days, Parisians must decide whether to have more or fewer heavy vehicles on the streets of Paris. Stay tuned for the tension-filled suspense.
On February 4th, Parisians will need to answer this highly philosophical question: More or fewer SUVs in Paris? Knowing that the owners of these much-criticized SUVs are a tiny minority, the answer to this question is obvious, as the saying goes. In a message on social media, Anne Hidalgo sparked the fuse of the potential revolt by mentioning Parisians’ frustration with “Large polluting cars that take up more and more space in our streets, on our sidewalks, or even on bike lanes.” Therefore, this phenomenon must be curbed by limiting the space occupied by SUVs and 4x4s in the urban area. Who’s to blame? These nasty manufacturers who push us to buy increasingly larger vehicles that consume more raw materials and are thus more polluting. Yes, according to the mayor, SUVs are 20% more polluting than regular cars. WWF says so, so it must be true… No irony, just facts.
The solution? Tripling non-residential parking fees for these cars, with an hourly rate of 18 euros in central districts and 12 euros in outer districts.
This measure will affect thermal or plug-in hybrid vehicles over 1.6 tons and electric vehicles of 2 tons or more. A brief reminder at this point: SUV stands for Sport Utility Vehicle. These are generally cars derived from sedans and raised higher. Agreed, in Paris, they mainly serve to spot potholes, but that’s already a lot. So, explain to us: where is weight mentioned in this definition? There are small SUVs and large SUVs, thus lighter and heavier. But this is also true for sedans! So what is the connection between weight and SUVs? Sorry, but if there isn’t one, then the link between the question asked and the proposed solution simply doesn’t exist. Political demagogy, as usual…
So, a raised car, since that is the very essence of a SUV, is necessarily more dangerous and polluting than a lower car? Regardless of the vehicle’s age, technology, or who is driving it? We, motorists, are making many efforts to change our mobility habits. Before worrying about the dangerousness of SUVs, perhaps we should first ensure the possibility of moving freely in Paris when car use is essential. And what about access to the metro and public infrastructure for disabled people?
Vox Populi, Vox Dei, the final word will rest with Parisians.
READ ALSO: Anne Hidalgo criticized by the Government on the périphérique at 50 km/h
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