Autobesity Explained

Autobesity, also known as car bloat and truck bloat, is the contemporary trend of cars increasing in average size and weight.^{[1] [2]} The average weight of cars sold in Europe increased by 21% between 2001 and 2022.^[3]

Negative consequences

Among the consequences of increased car weight and size are:

• Poorer air quality, even with electric vehicles, because heavier vehicles have higher energy consumption and release more tyre and brake particles (non-tailpipe emissions).^{[4] [5]}
• Reduced road safety, as heavier vehicles have greater kinetic energy, and taller vehicles are more likely to strike pedestrians in the head and torso, or even not be able to see small children who are below the driver's line of sight.^{[6] [7]} Additionally, larger vehicles are more likely to hit pedestrians when turning due to poorer visibility.^{[8] [9]}
• Parking issues for other vehicles, as they don't fit in typical parking spaces, often occupying multiple spaces.^[10]
• Increased consumption of public space, promoting more sprawling cities and further exacerbating energy and automobile dependency.^[11]

Explanations

An individual driver may choose a large car for personal safety, though it threatens other road users. This in turn pushes others to choose large cars, a vicious circle. A US National Safety Council expert described autobesity as an "arms race".^[12]

Government actions to counter autobesity

• From 2024 Paris will charge greater parking fees for SUVs.^[13]
• A 2023 European Parliament report proposes introducing a new "category B+" driving licence for cars heavier than .^[14]

External links

• What is Autobesity? About Words - Cambridge Dictionary blog - New words – 21 August 2023

Notes and References

1. Web site: Researchers warn 'autobesity' trend is on track to endanger health worldwide: 'This rise in fatalities coincides' . October 22, 2023 .
2. News: Bigger, dirtier, more dangerous: How 'auto-besity' is a health risk for everyone . Patrick . Hatch . . Australia . 2023-08-05 . 2023-09-23.
3. News: Monsters of the road: What should the UK do about SUVs? . The Guardian . November 5, 2023 . Anthony . Andrew .
4. News: 'Autobesity' on course to worsen air pollution caused by motoring . Gary . Fuller . September 8, 2023 . The Guardian . UK.
5. News: EVs Are Sending Toxic Tire Particles Into the Water, Soil, and Air . David . Zipper . The Atlantic . US . July 19, 2023 . 2023-09-23.
6. These Stupid Trucks are Literally Killing Us . www.youtube.com . Netherlands . March 2023 . 2023-09-23.
7. Web site: Des voitures plus lourdes, plus hautes et plus puissantes pour une sécurité routière à deux vitesses ? . Heavier, taller and more powerful cars for two-speed road safety? . Vias Institute . Belgium . August 30, 2023 . 2023-09-23.
8. News: Editorial: Hulking SUVs and trucks are deadly. We need to encourage safer models . . Los Angeles Times . US . April 4, 2023 . 2023-09-23.
9. Web site: SUVs, other large vehicles often hit pedestrians while turning . . US . 2022-03-17 . 2023-09-23.
10. News: More than 150 car models too big for regular UK parking spaces . Sian . Norris . Guardian . UK . August 26, 2023 . 2023-09-23.
11. Web site: ¿Deben pagar más los coches grandes por aparcar en la calle? En París y Lyon empezarán a hacerlo. Medina. Miguel Ángel. 2023-09-25. El País. es.
12. News: The Car Safety Feature That Kills the Other Guy . David . Zipper . Slate . US . 2022-11-07 . 2023-09-23.
13. News: Paris to charge SUV drivers higher parking fees to tackle 'auto-besity'. Kim. Willsher. July 11, 2023. The Guardian.
14. Web site: Draft report on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on driving licences, amending Directive (EU) 2022/2561 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Regulation (EU) 2018/1724 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Directive 2006/126/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Commission Regulation (EU) No 383/2012 . European Parliament . 2023/0053(COD) . 2023-07-19 . 2023-09-23.