Autobesity: Difference between revisions

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{{Use mdy dates |date=September 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates |date=September 2023}}
{{multiple image
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| image1 = Amara_lumbreras_santos_donotia_01.jpg
| caption1 = ''The [[SEAT 600]], at about 600 kg and three meters in length, was the best-selling car in [[Spain]] in the 1950s and 1960s.''
| image2 = Hyundai_Tucson_(MSP17).jpg
| caption2 = ''The [[SUV]] [[Hyundai Tucson]] was the best-selling vehicle in Spain in 2022. It can weigh over 1800 kg and measure over 4 and a half meters in length.''
| footer = The size and weight of automobiles have increased over the past few decades.
}}
{{multiple image
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| image3 = 1975- US vehicle production share, by vehicle type.svg
| caption3 = Trucks' share of US vehicles produced, has tripled since 1975. Though vehicle fuel efficiency has increased within each category, the overall trend toward less efficient types of vehicles has offset some of the benefits of greater fuel economy and reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.<ref name=EPA_AutomotiveTrends_202212>{{cite web |title=Highlights of the Automotive Trends Report |url=https://www.epa.gov/automotive-trends/highlights-automotive-trends-report |website=EPA.gov |publisher=U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902145941/https://www.epa.gov/automotive-trends/highlights-automotive-trends-report |archive-date=2 September 2023 |date=12 December 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> Without the shift towards SUVs, energy use per unit distance could have fallen 30% more than it did from 2010 to 2022.<ref name=GlobalFuelEfficInit_202311>{{cite web |last1=Cazzola |first1=Pierpaolo |last2=Paoli |first2=Leonardo |last3=Teter |first3=Jacob |title=Trends in the Global Vehicle Fleet 2023 / Managing the SUV Shift and the EV Transition |url=https://www.globalfueleconomy.org/media/792523/gfei-trends-in-the-global-vehicle-fleet-2023-spreads.pdf |publisher=Global Fuel Economy Initiative (GFEI) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231126092826/https://www.globalfueleconomy.org/media/792523/gfei-trends-in-the-global-vehicle-fleet-2023-spreads.pdf |archive-date=26 November 2023 |page=3 |doi=10.7922/G2HM56SV |date=November 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}


'''Autobesity''', also known as '''car bloat''' and '''truck bloat''', is the contemporary trend of cars increasing in average size and weight. The phenomenon has been observed in the around the world including USA, UK and Australia.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/bigger-dirtier-more-dangerous-how-auto-besity-is-a-health-risk-for-everyone-20230803-p5dtkg.html |title=Bigger, dirtier, more dangerous: How ‘auto-besity’ is a health risk for everyone |first=Patrick |last=Hatch |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |location=Australia |date=2023-08-05 |access-date=2023-09-23}}</ref> Debate focuses in particular on [[SUVs]] and [[pickup trucks]].
'''Autobesity''', also known as '''car bloat''' and '''truck bloat''', is the contemporary trend of cars increasing in average size and weight.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/researchers-warn-autobesity-trend-track-114500082.html | title=Researchers warn 'autobesity' trend is on track to endanger health worldwide: 'This rise in fatalities coincides' | date=October 22, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/bigger-dirtier-more-dangerous-how-auto-besity-is-a-health-risk-for-everyone-20230803-p5dtkg.html |title=Bigger, dirtier, more dangerous: How 'auto-besity' is a health risk for everyone |first=Patrick |last=Hatch |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |location=Australia |date=2023-08-05 |access-date=2023-09-23}}</ref> The average weight of cars sold in Europe increased by 21% between 2001 and 2022.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/nov/05/monsters-of-the-road-what-should-the-uk-do-about-suvs | title=Monsters of the road: What should the UK do about SUVs? | newspaper=The Guardian | date=November 5, 2023 | last1=Anthony | first1=Andrew }}</ref>


==Negative consequences==
==Negative consequences==


===Negative consequences for air quality===
Among the consequences of increased car weight and size are:


Autobesity has negative consequences for [[Vehicle_emissions_control|air quality]]<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/08/autobesity-on-course-to-worsen-air-pollution-caused-by-motoring |title=‘Autobesity’ on course to worsen air pollution caused by motoring |first=Gary |last=Fuller |date=September 8, 2023 |work=The Guardian |location=UK}}</ref> because heavier vehicles release more particles from tyres and brakes.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2023/07/electric-vehicles-tires-wearing-out-particulates/674750/ |title=EVs Are Sending Toxic Tire Particles Into the Water, Soil, and Air |first=David |last=Zipper |work=The Atlantic |location=US |date=July 19, 2023 |access-date=2023-09-23}}</ref>
* Poorer [[Vehicle_emissions_control|air quality]], even with [[electric vehicles]], because heavier vehicles have higher energy consumption and release more tyre and brake particles ([[non-tailpipe emissions]]).<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/08/autobesity-on-course-to-worsen-air-pollution-caused-by-motoring |title='Autobesity' on course to worsen air pollution caused by motoring |first=Gary |last=Fuller |date=September 8, 2023 |work=The Guardian |location=UK}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2023/07/electric-vehicles-tires-wearing-out-particulates/674750/ |title=EVs Are Sending Toxic Tire Particles Into the Water, Soil, and Air |first=David |last=Zipper |work=The Atlantic |location=US |date=July 19, 2023 |access-date=2023-09-23}}</ref>
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* 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.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN7mSXMruEo |title=These Stupid Trucks are Literally Killing Us |via=www.youtube.com |location=Netherlands |date=March 2023 |access-date=2023-09-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vias.be/fr/newsroom/des-voitures-plus-lourdes-plus-hautes-et-plus-puissantes-pour-une-securite-routiere-a-deux-vitesses-/|title=Des voitures plus lourdes, plus hautes et plus puissantes pour une sécurité routière à deux vitesses ? |trans-title=Heavier, taller and more powerful cars for two-speed road safety? |publisher=Vias Institute |location=Belgium |date=August 30, 2023 |access-date=2023-09-23}}</ref> Additionally, larger vehicles are more likely to hit pedestrians when turning due to poorer [[visibility]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2023-04-04/editorial-hulking-suvs-and-trucks-are-deadly-to-pedestrians-why-arent-regulators-pushing-for-safer-models |title=Editorial: Hulking SUVs and trucks are deadly. We need to encourage safer models |author=<!--staff--> |work=Los Angeles Times |location=US |date=April 4, 2023 |access-date=2023-09-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.iihs.org/news/detail/suvs-other-large-vehicles-often-hit-pedestrians-while-turning |title=SUVs, other large vehicles often hit pedestrians while turning |publisher=[[Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]] |location=US |date=2022-03-17 |access-date=2023-09-23}}</ref>

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* Parking issues for other vehicles, as they don't fit in typical parking spaces, often occupying multiple spaces.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/aug/26/more-than-150-car-models-too-big-for-regular-uk-parking-spaces |title=More than 150 car models too big for regular UK parking spaces |first=Sian |last=Norris |work=Guardian |location=UK |date=August 26, 2023 |access-date=2023-09-23}}</ref>
===Negative consequences for road safety===
* Increased consumption of [[public space]], promoting more [[Urban sprawl|sprawling cities]] and further exacerbating energy and automobile dependency.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://elpais.com/clima-y-medio-ambiente/2023-09-25/deben-pagar-mas-los-coches-grandes-por-aparcar-en-la-calle-en-paris-y-lyon-empezaran-a-hacerlo.html|title=¿Deben pagar más los coches grandes por aparcar en la calle? En París y Lyon empezarán a hacerlo|last=Medina|first=Miguel Ángel|date=2023-09-25|website=El País|language=es}}</ref>

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Autobesity has negative consequences for [[road safety]]<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN7mSXMruEo |title=These Stupid Trucks are Literally Killing Us |via=www.youtube.com |location=Netherlands |date=March 2023 |access-date=2023-09-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vias.be/fr/newsroom/des-voitures-plus-lourdes-plus-hautes-et-plus-puissantes-pour-une-securite-routiere-a-deux-vitesses-/|title=Des voitures plus lourdes, plus hautes et plus puissantes pour une sécurité routière à deux vitesses ? |trans-title=Heavier, taller and more powerful cars for two-speed road safety? |publisher=Vias Institute |location=Belgium |date=August 30, 2023 |access-date=2023-09-23}}</ref> because heavier vehicles have greater [[kinetic energy]] and taller vehicles are more likely to strike pedestrians in the head or torso.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2023-04-04/editorial-hulking-suvs-and-trucks-are-deadly-to-pedestrians-why-arent-regulators-pushing-for-safer-models |title=Editorial: Hulking SUVs and trucks are deadly. We need to encourage safer models |author=<!--staff--> |work=Los Angeles Times |location=US |date=April 4, 2023 |access-date=2023-09-23}}</ref>

Large vehicles are more likely to hit pedestrians<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.iihs.org/news/detail/suvs-other-large-vehicles-often-hit-pedestrians-while-turning |title=SUVs, other large vehicles often hit pedestrians while turning |publisher=[[Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]] |location=US |date=2022-03-17 |access-date=2023-09-23}}</ref> when turning because they have worse visibility.

===Negative consequences for parking===

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Autobesity causes problems for parking because big vehicles do not fit in typical parking spaces.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/aug/26/more-than-150-car-models-too-big-for-regular-uk-parking-spaces |title=More than 150 car models too big for regular UK parking spaces |first=Sian |last=Norris |work=Guardian |location=UK |date=August 26, 2023 |access-date=2023-09-23}}</ref>


==Explanations==
==Explanations==
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==Government actions to counter autobesity==
==Government actions to counter autobesity==


* From 2024 [[Paris]] charges greater parking fees for [[SUVs]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/11/paris-charge-suv-drivers-higher-parking-fees-tackle-auto-besity|title=Paris to charge SUV drivers higher parking fees to tackle ‘auto-besity’|first=Kim|last=Willsher|date=July 11, 2023|via=The Guardian}}</ref>
* From 2024 [[Paris]] will charge greater parking fees for [[SUVs]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/11/paris-charge-suv-drivers-higher-parking-fees-tackle-auto-besity|title=Paris to charge SUV drivers higher parking fees to tackle 'auto-besity'|first=Kim|last=Willsher|date=July 11, 2023|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>
* A 2023 [[European Parliament]] report proposes introducing a new "category B+" driving licence for cars heavier than {{cvt|1800|kg|lb|-2}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TRAN-PR-750248_EN.pdf |title=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 |publisher=European Parliament |id=2023/0053(COD) |date=2023-07-19 |access-date=2023-09-23}}</ref>
* A 2023 [[European Parliament]] report proposes introducing a new "category B+" driving licence for cars heavier than {{cvt|1800|kg|lb|-2}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TRAN-PR-750248_EN.pdf |title=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 |publisher=European Parliament |id=2023/0053(COD) |date=2023-07-19 |access-date=2023-09-23}}</ref>


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* [https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2023/08/21/new-words-21-august-2023/ What is Autobesity? About Words - Cambridge Dictionary blog - New words – 21 August 2023]
* [https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2023/08/21/new-words-21-august-2023/ What is Autobesity? About Words - Cambridge Dictionary blog - New words – 21 August 2023]


{{Automobile configuration}}
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[[Category:Cars]]
[[Category:Urban planning]]
[[Category:Urban planning]]
[[Category:Automotive design]]
[[Category:Automotive design]]
[[Category:Transport culture]]
[[Category:Public health]]
[[Category:Health and transport]]
[[Category:Health effects by subject]]

Latest revision as of 23:21, 8 March 2024

The SEAT 600, at about 600 kg and three meters in length, was the best-selling car in Spain in the 1950s and 1960s.
The SUV Hyundai Tucson was the best-selling vehicle in Spain in 2022. It can weigh over 1800 kg and measure over 4 and a half meters in length.
The size and weight of automobiles have increased over the past few decades.
Trucks' share of US vehicles produced, has tripled since 1975. Though vehicle fuel efficiency has increased within each category, the overall trend toward less efficient types of vehicles has offset some of the benefits of greater fuel economy and reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.[1] Without the shift towards SUVs, energy use per unit distance could have fallen 30% more than it did from 2010 to 2022.[2]

Autobesity, also known as car bloat and truck bloat, is the contemporary trend of cars increasing in average size and weight.[3][4] The average weight of cars sold in Europe increased by 21% between 2001 and 2022.[5]

Negative consequences

Among the consequences of increased car weight and size are:

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".[14]

Government actions to counter autobesity

References

  1. ^ "Highlights of the Automotive Trends Report". EPA.gov. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). December 12, 2022. Archived from the original on September 2, 2023.
  2. doi:10.7922/G2HM56SV. Archived
    (PDF) from the original on November 26, 2023.
  3. ^ "Researchers warn 'autobesity' trend is on track to endanger health worldwide: 'This rise in fatalities coincides'". October 22, 2023.
  4. ^ Hatch, Patrick (August 5, 2023). "Bigger, dirtier, more dangerous: How 'auto-besity' is a health risk for everyone". The Sydney Morning Herald. Australia. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  5. ^ Anthony, Andrew (November 5, 2023). "Monsters of the road: What should the UK do about SUVs?". The Guardian.
  6. ^ Fuller, Gary (September 8, 2023). "'Autobesity' on course to worsen air pollution caused by motoring". The Guardian. UK.
  7. ^ Zipper, David (July 19, 2023). "EVs Are Sending Toxic Tire Particles Into the Water, Soil, and Air". The Atlantic. US. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  8. ^ These Stupid Trucks are Literally Killing Us. Netherlands. March 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2023 – via www.youtube.com.
  9. ^ "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?]. Belgium: Vias Institute. August 30, 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  10. ^ "Editorial: Hulking SUVs and trucks are deadly. We need to encourage safer models". Los Angeles Times. US. April 4, 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  11. ^ "SUVs, other large vehicles often hit pedestrians while turning". US: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. March 17, 2022. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  12. ^ Norris, Sian (August 26, 2023). "More than 150 car models too big for regular UK parking spaces". Guardian. UK. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  13. ^ Medina, Miguel Ángel (September 25, 2023). "¿Deben pagar más los coches grandes por aparcar en la calle? En París y Lyon empezarán a hacerlo". El País (in Spanish).
  14. ^ Zipper, David (November 7, 2022). "The Car Safety Feature That Kills the Other Guy". Slate. US. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  15. ^ Willsher, Kim (July 11, 2023). "Paris to charge SUV drivers higher parking fees to tackle 'auto-besity'". The Guardian.
  16. ^ "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" (PDF). European Parliament. July 19, 2023. 2023/0053(COD). Retrieved September 23, 2023.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Autobesity&oldid=1212654799"