Source: Fietsberaad Crow

The growing prevalence of larger and heavier cars in the Brussels-Capital Region conflicts with road safety and environmental objectives, as analysed by Brussels Mobility and Brussels Environment in their report, Larger and Heavier Cars. The report examines the causes of this trend and suggests measures to curb the rising weight of the vehicle fleet.

Brussels Mobility and Brussels Environment are public agencies responsible for mobility and environmental policies in the region. Drawing on a literature review, statistical analysis, and expert discussions, they studied the increasing presence of large, heavy cars in Brussels and across Belgium. Their findings cover the causes, impacts, and potential interventions to address this issue.

Rising Vehicle Mass

Between 2013 and 2023, the average mass of private vehicles registered in Brussels grew by 10%, while company cars saw a 17% increase. Additionally, company cars are approximately 250 kg heavier than newly registered private vehicles. Vehicles are also becoming wider; since 2018, newly registered cars average over 180cm in width.

Impacts on safety, space, and emissions

Heavier vehicles offer greater protection to their occupants, reducing their risk of serious injury or death in accidents. However, this comes at the expense of others, such as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, or occupants of lighter vehicles, whose risk of harm increases significantly. In Brussels, this risk disparity is even more pronounced than in the rest of Belgium.

Larger vehicles also demand more space, often exceeding the dimensions of existing parking spots and impeding efforts to allocate public space for active transportation modes. Their bulk hinders urban greening initiatives, and their weight exacerbates wear-and-tear emissions from tires, brake pads, and road surfaces.

For petrol and diesel cars, the additional weight has offset reductions in CO₂ emissions. Meanwhile, heavier electric vehicles require larger batteries, increasing the demand for raw materials and emissions during manufacturing.

Causes of the trend

The growth in heavier vehicles is driven by several factors:

1. Industry marketing: Automakers prioritize heavier and larger vehicles due to higher profit margins, limiting the availability of lighter, more affordable options.
2. Tax policies: Belgian fiscal policies do not consider the weight of electric vehicles, unlike fuel-powered cars. Additionally, the fiscal regime for company cars encourages the selection of heavier, more luxurious models.
3. CO₂ standards: European CO₂ emission standards fail to incentivise a reduction in vehicle mass.

Proposed measures

To counter this trend, Brussels Mobility and Brussels Environment recommend several measures, including:

• Implementing a weight-based kilometre charge to discourage heavier vehicles.
• Tightening parking policies to limit the entry of heavy cars into the city.
• Designating zones where heavy vehicles are prohibited.
• Banning public advertising for large and heavy cars.

These proposals aim to address the safety and environmental challenges posed by the increasing share of larger, heavier vehicles in the Brussels-Capital Region.