SUVs in the spotlight as London weighs new charges

London’s latest Vision Zero action plan includes proposals to introduce charges for large SUVs, as part of efforts to eliminate road deaths and serious injuries by 2041.

The plan sets out 43 measures to reduce road danger, including wider rollout of 20mph speed limits and the use of AI to identify unsafe driving. It also highlights growing concern around vehicle size, with Transport for London (TfL) identifying larger SUVs as an increasing risk on urban roads.

SUV numbers in the capital have risen sharply, from around 80,000 in 2002 to 800,000 in 2023. TfL analysis suggests larger vehicles are affecting visibility at junctions, increasing risk for pedestrians and cyclists, and exceeding the width of many standard parking spaces.

Any move to introduce SUV-specific charges would add a new cost consideration for fleets operating in London, particularly those using larger vehicles in urban environments.

Provisional data shows 95 road deaths in London in 2025, down from 110 in 2024, but the Mayor’s office is seeking further reductions through additional intervention.

The plan builds on London’s original 2018 Vision Zero strategy, developed in partnership with the Metropolitan Police and local boroughs.

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