Sport utility vehicles, or SUVs, have become the most popular type of car in France. In 2025, they accounted for 52% of all new car sales, and as of the end of 2025, they made up 27% of all vehicles on the road. Experts call this trend "SUV-fication," and it has led to an increase in the average weight of vehicles sold in France. Since 2009, the average weight of new cars has grown by 90kg, reaching nearly 1400kg. This is much heavier than the average of 778kg in 1960. SUVs are generally less aerodynamic and heavier than traditional cars, leading to higher fuel consumption—between 20% to 25% more than conventional vehicles. This increased fuel use contributes significantly to carbon emissions. According to the International Energy Agency, SUVs have been the second-largest source of global CO2 emissions since 2010, after the energy sector. In France, the French High Council for the Climate (HCC) has noted that the rise in vehicle weight has limited the benefits of improved energy efficiency in new cars. This has made it harder for France to meet its climate goals. The growing popularity of SUVs also affects the environmental benefits of electric vehicles. Heavier vehicles require larger batteries, which can reduce driving range and increase the frequency of charging. Public institutions like the HCC and Ademe emphasize that the carbon footprint of electric vehicles increases nearly proportionally with their weight, encouraging the selection of smaller and lighter models. SUVs are also linked to increased safety risks for pedestrians, especially children. Studies show that the risk of death for pedestrians hit by an SUV is double that of being struck by a conventional car. Children face up to an 82% higher risk of death in such collisions. The Cerema and the National Road Safety Observatory have confirmed that accidents involving SUVs are more likely to result in fatalities for vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, while occupants of SUVs are more likely to survive. The larger size of SUVs also makes parking in urban areas more difficult, as highlighted by a study from Transport & Environment. SUVs are generally more expensive than traditional vehicles, with higher prices often due to manufacturers' focus on this segment. This trend may have long-term effects on the broader population, as increased new vehicle costs could lead to higher prices for used cars. Combined with rising fuel costs, especially in rural areas, this could place financial strain on households. A Insee study found that in 2021, over 2 million French households spent more than a month's income on fuel. The dominance of SUVs is also tied to aggressive marketing strategies, including the use of leasing and targeting corporate clients with tax benefits. Experts argue that the automotive industry's focus on SUVs has slowed its efforts to reduce carbon emissions. The HCC reported that producing heavier vehicles with higher profit margins has made the industry more vulnerable to emission penalties. France has pushed for relaxing European emission standards, which could weaken the growth of electric vehicles and increase pollution. To address the rise of SUVs, examples from Japan and Norway show that targeted fiscal incentives can encourage the purchase of smaller, more efficient vehicles. In Japan, tax benefits for small cars have led to a significant drop in transport emissions. Norway's high rate of electric vehicle adoption is partly due to its favorable fiscal policies. In France, current taxes on heavy and high-emission vehicles are seen as too weak, with only 5% of vehicles subject to a weight-based tax. Calls for increasing these taxes and implementing more progressive measures are growing, with some local governments already imposing higher parking fees for larger vehicles. The future of the CO2-based tax depends on upcoming French financial laws, where political pressure from the automotive industry may slow down stricter environmental regulations. Alternative measures include expanding social leasing for small electric vehicles and limiting advertisements for high-emission cars, though these ideas have faced resistance. The marketing of SUVs often links them to nature and adventure, which contrasts with their negative environmental impact, raising questions about whether consumer values align with ecological goals.