Heavy cars cause potholes and should be taxed

By Alan Feldberg - 3/04/2025

Heavy cars cause potholes and should be taxed to help pay for the upkeep of UK roads, according to a new academic paper.

The paper, published by civil engineer Ruth Carlson with research supported by the Future Transport Visions Group, called for drivers of large SUVs to pay extra tax on their vehicles, with the additional revenues dedicated to road maintenance.

Since 2021 around 4.6 million cars have been sold in the UK that are bigger than an average car parking space. That equates to more than 1.2 million a year.

Analysis by US Highway Officials found that a two-tonne SUV does 16 times more damage than a one-tonne car, and the damage is even more extensive in wet weather.

The UK is already blighted by a pothole pandemic, with data from the RAC finding that drivers encounter an average of six potholes a mile with repairs for vehicles damaged by potholes averaging around £500.

Oliver Lord, UK head of Clean Cities, said: “Cars are getting bigger every year – while our streets are not. We need carmakers to prioritise normal sized cars that can be parked more easily and are less dangerous to people walking around. It’s only fair if you want to buy a massive SUV that you should expect to pay more for the space it takes up.”

To reverse the trend of heavier cars, the report advised:

Central government could introduce taxation on heavier cars or ban their future sale via the Road Vehicles Regulations.
Local authorities could adjust parking policies to charge higher fees for heavier cars.
Engineering bodies should maintain existing dimensions and regulations regarding car size, compelling manufacturers to design within these bounds.
The DVLA could impose additional licensing requirements for heavier cars.

Tags:

Clean Cities, heavy cars, potholes