French take first step to putting vehicles on a diet to counter 'autobesity' by voting for heavy SUV and EV parking fee

Parisians have voted in favor of charging heavy SUVs and EVs a fee to park in Paris. The referendum was initiated by mayor Anne Hidalgo to tackle the growing concern of vehicle pollution and energy waste due to 'autobesity' - the increase in average vehicle weight on the roads worldwide.

Gas-powered vehicles weighing over 1.6 tons and electric vehicles over 2 tons will be charged €12 to €18 (approx. $12.94 to $19.40) per hour while parked at or near the center of Paris. The transport chief estimates roughly 10 percent of vehicles would be affected. Of eligible voters, 5.7 percent showed up to vote and 54.55 percent of those voting passed the referendum.

Both gas and electric vehicle weights have increased on average over time. Compact, lightweight hatchbacks and sedans are being replaced with heavier, larger SUVs and cross-overs. Besides the known danger of heavier vehicles in pedestrian crashes, heavier vehicles simply require more energy to move about.

A heavy EV wastes more electricity while creating used lithium batteries while a heavy gas-powered SUV wastes more gasoline while generating toxic smog. In both cases, toxic materials enter the earth and air in greater amounts than from lighter vehicles over time. Heavy vehicles also result in faster road wear, so the resulting potholes and poor road conditions damage tires on passenger as well as package transport vehicles in greater numbers.

While the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics may be one motivation to clean up Paris by making it a more walkable city, Hidalgo wants to nudge car buyers towards lighter vehicles to bring environmental and health benefits to Parisians.

Readers looking for a fun way to reduce their mobility carbon footprint can try a powered unicycle (like this at Amazon).