2023-11-23 09:05:00
It was in front of the camera that Anne Hidalgo announced the organization, on November 14, of a new citizen vote, on the same model as that which put an end to electric scooters in the capital. The vote, scheduled for February 4, 2024, will relate to a measure which plans to charge more for parking to motorists who have large vehicles or specifically designated SUVs, which by their weight pollute more. Motorist associations denounce an unrealistic project.
SUVs (for Sport Utility Vehicle) are increasingly popular with the French. This is what emerges from a recent study by the WWF, which is concerned about it, cited by the mayor of Paris in her presentation of the citizen consultation. Their sales have increased sevenfold in just ten years, so much so that today they represent 40% of new car acquisitions. But the craze for these heavy and imposing vehicles is frustrating Paris City Hall in its fight against automobile pollution.
“Stop the excesses of manufacturers”
The project presented by Anne Hidalgo was largely inspired by that of her Lyon counterpart, Grégory Doucet (EELV), which combines anti-pollution measures and road safety. “SUVs are 20% more polluting than ordinary vehicles,” explains the mayor of Paris. In his announcement video, the socialist councilor also claims to be concerned about the safety of Parisian pedestrians, referring to the study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This institute observed that bodily injuries caused by an SUV type vehicle were 50% more serious than those caused by other types of cars. “With this vote, we want to say stop the excesses of manufacturers,” said Anne Hidalgo, who accuses car manufacturers of constantly pushing consumers to “purchase ever larger, more expensive vehicles that use more raw materials.”
“The SUV is a type of vehicle which combines the characteristics of a passenger car with those of a utility vehicle, often characterized by its larger size and greater weight”, such is the definition given by the Paris City Hall on the page dedicated to the next citizen consultation. A definition that Alexandra Legendre, spokesperson for the Drivers’ Defense League, does not share: “We are falling into caricature, we see on the very site of the vote that the definition of the term SUV is poorly understood and misunderstood. , so we arrive at a heartbreaking initiative. »
While Paris City Hall claims that an SUV weighs 200 kg more than a standard vehicle, is 25 cm longer and 10 cm wider, Pierre Chasseray, spokesperson for the 40 Million Motorists association , prefers to include this evolution in a more global movement in the automobile market: “Looking at the size of vehicles from 1960 to today, we realize that they have not gained in length. They are higher and indeed wider, but this width is explained by the transformation of the rear bench into a seat, which today serves to protect the passengers. »
The other major argument used by the mayor of Paris is that of weight, causing greater pollution. Motorist associations also contest this: “This increase in weight is justified by the ABS (anti-lock system of the wheels of a vehicle), by the anti-skid, by the air conditioning but also by the safety equipment,” explains Alexandra Legendre.
Who is penalized?
“We cannot blame parents for wanting to buy these vehicles because it is easier to put their children inside,” declares the spokesperson for the Drivers’ Defense League. If this measure is adopted, families will be the first to be impacted. In any case, this is what Pierre Chasseray also states: “By banning SUVs based on weight criteria, you are penalizing family vehicles and therefore families. » For him, the increase in SUVs goes hand in hand with the abandonment of the minivan: “If customers have switched to the SUV, it is because it meets modularity needs. When you have a family, you have a hatchback and not a trunk, you have a little height which helps compensate for the lack of length of minivans. »
Among other criticisms, the unfair treatment between Parisians and Ile-de-France residents. Paris City Hall announced that Parisian residents and professionals stationed in their residential zone would not be affected by this measure. The application of the tax would therefore have a greater impact on Ile-de-France residents: “Parisians intra-muros Between 30 and 40% have a car and they are lucky to have access to relatively reliable public transport,” says Alexandra Legendre.
The spokesperson for 40 Million Motorists denounces the political maneuver: “We forbid others what we do not forbid ourselves. » If this measure is adopted by Parisians on February 4, nothing says that it will be legally applicable…
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