Underused SUVs should be taxed to curb buying habits, environmental group says
Global News
Data suggests that only 39 per cent of SUV owners use the majority of their vehicle seats at least once a week.
Despite growing popularity, sports utility vehicles in Quebec are underused, according to a recent study commissioned by the non-profit group Équiterre.
The findings come from a 2022 survey of more than 1,000 Quebecer car owners, conducted by the Centre Interuniversitaire de Recherche en Analyze des Organizations (CIRANO).
The data revealed that only 39 per cent of owners use the majority of their SUV seats at least once a week.
Eighty-five per cent of small or light trucks are registered for personal rather than commercial use.
The figures show a deep disconnect between the supply of SUVs in Quebec and the actual use by their owners, said Andréanne Brazeau, climate policy analyst at Équiterre.
“Sixty-five per cent of trips are to get to work, school and the grocery store, often short trips that do not require the attributes of the SUVs that the automakers sell us with a lot of advertisements,” Brazeau said. “However, in the advertisements, we mainly see large vehicles circulating in natural environments.”
Brazeau says the automotive industry is investing heavily to create “false needs” and boost sales of this type of vehicle despite it not being used to its full potential.
According to Équiterre, regulations on the advertising of the heavy vehicles could curb buying habits.
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