A debate has erupted amid calls for SUVs and utes to be ‘road taxed’ as they become increasingly popular across Australia.
Business journalist Millie Muroi recently wrote a column noting that four out of five new cars sold were SUVs or light commercial pick-ups – with the top selling cars in the country being the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, Isuzu D-Max and Toyota Rav4.
‘So why are more and more people opting for fuel-thirsty behemoths like SUVs and utes?’ Muroi asked in The Sydney Morning Herald.
The vehicles are wildly popular with traditional cars and Ms Muroi also suggested “soccer mums and baby boomers”, and the perception that they are safer than smaller cars has played a role in their dominance.
“Otherwise, a larger car will do more damage and hold up better against a smaller car,” she noted.
‘As more people take to the road with their heavy SUVs and utes, they are more likely to be worse off in an accident if you don’t drive one yourself.’
Business journalist Millie Muroi claimed there were “numerous costs, both personal and societal” associated with these larger vehicles taking over Australian roads.
Ms Muroi claimed there were “numerous costs, both personal and societal” associated with these larger vehicles taking over Australian roads.
“Not only does it cost Australians more to feed fuel-thirsty vehicles like SUVs and utes, but it also comes at a significant cost to the environment, drivers of smaller cars and pedestrians.
‘Both pedestrians and drivers of smaller cars are at greater risk of serious and fatal injuries if they are involved in a collision with a heavier vehicle.
‘And the race to reduce our emissions is suffering as more Australians choose huge cars.’
American-style pickup trucks, such as the RAM 1500 (pictured), are becoming increasingly popular in Australia
Muroi argued Australians needed to change their preference for bigger is better, and stressed the urgency to tackle climate change.
“From backyards to beer consumption, Australians love to go big, but it’s time to take our feet off the accelerator when it comes to big cars and foot the bill,” she said.
Journalist Neil McMahon agreed and shared Ms Muroi’s column on social media with the caption ‘tax these animals off the road’, sparking fierce debate.
‘I went to park in our local huge shopping center and three (six) parking spaces were occupied with these tanks. They don’t fit in a normal space,” one commenter replied.
“It’s constant now, park next to it and you can’t get out of your car,” Mr McMahon agreed.
Other Australians said the large vehicles were great for towing campers and caravans.
‘Our family loves camping and 4×4 driving. We upgraded from a tent to a camper trailer, our sedan couldn’t tow it, so now we have a 4WD,” said one.
A second added: ‘Mines are great for towing my car to and from races, I don’t see the problem with it. The problem is people park them like they’re a million dollar boat.”
But Mr McMahon argued: ‘People have happily driven off-road vehicles and camped for decades without driving vehicles that are bigger than tanks and that are equally threatening to anyone within two meters of them and that don’t fit into parking spaces.’
Another added: ‘These should be treated as heavy vehicles as they are more dangerous on suburban roads than standard sized vehicles. Only off-road or rural. Road safety regulations & tax on emissions.’
But one ute driver hit back, saying they are already taxed at a much higher rate because they “pay more fuel duty, pay more rego depending on engine size and can be taxed at around 33 per cent with the luxury car tax”. imported vehicles’.
And another claimed: ‘restricting choice was the beginning of communism’.
“I have a Ram 1500…we live in the country with lots of space. That said, as soon as an electric version is available, I’m all for it.’
The owner of a Chevrolet Silverado recently blasted the driver of a Toyota Corolla for parking his car in one of two parks used by the car at a regional airport in Queensland.