Australians blast proposal to increase standard parking space length as ‘Big Cars’ take over
A proposal to accommodate Australia’s growing obsession with big cars has sparked outrage, as more photos pour in exposing the root of the problem.
The era of the hulking big American-style pick-up truck has well and truly arrived in Australia.
As the super-sized cars explode in popularity, an issue has become so apparent that authorities are considering making major changes to literally fit them in.
Standards Australia has proposed increasing the length of off-street parking spaces by 20cm to fit Australia’s incresingly bigger cars – of which pick-up trucks are just the latest, largest and most divisive evolution.
The standard size of car spaces on streets and in parking lots has been 5.4 metres long and 2.4 to 2.6 metres wide, enough to fit passenger vehicles and light commercial vehicles (including utes).
Australians have slowly been moving away from passenger vehicles and sedans toward SUVs, utes – which have been the highest-seller each year since 2016 – and now pick-up trucks.
SUVs and light commercial vehicles made up 76.8 per cent of car sales in 2022, and comprise eight of the top 10 vehicles, according to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI).
FCAI data shows the highest-selling vehicle in Australia each year since 2016 has been a ute, and to September 2023, the Toyota Hi-Lux is holding onto the top spot as the most popular new vehicle.
A 2023 model Hi-Lux can squeeze into a current standard carpark with 7.5cm to spare, lengthwise.
Meanwhile, a RAM 1500 pick-up truck, the most popular of the American models in Australia, overhangs a current standard carpark by 43cm, lengthwise. In a 2.4m wide carpark, a RAM’s width overhangs, too.
The added 20cm will only halve the RAM’s overhang, which is concerning given it is the smallest model of the American-style trucks Australians can buy.
The sheer enormity of the trucks in carparks is the root of most complaints about them, and drivers are routinely called out for their obnoxious parking – whether they make a genuine attempt to fit between the marked lines or not.
But critics of the imported giants have warned against making changes to streets accommodate bigger cars so willingly.
“Part of our big issue with the Standards Australia proposal is that it codifies a worrying trend of (making) larger and larger vehicles,” Jonathan O’Brien, lead organiser at YIMBY Melbourne said.
“Realistically, it would just be a 3 to 4 per cent reduction in parks. So not a huge difference materially, but it’s codifying a trend of accommodating trucks that take up more infrastructure.”
The rise of the pick-up-style truck in Australia, particularly in metropolitan areas, has incensed Mr O’Brien so much that he called for higher taxes for super truck drivers.
I am firmly of the belief that these cars should be taxed out of existence. They are comprised almost entirely of health, safety, and environmental externalities, and the trays are not larger than the average Toyota.
— Jonathan O'Brien (Toyota HiLux Fan Account) (@jonobri) October 24, 2023
They are useful for one thing only: dick-size compensation. https://t.co/DJkwigzOxL
What started as a reaction to three images of pick-up trucks showing the “huge ute situation” in Canberra, unravelled a now-viral thread in which he introduced a “robust policy” idea to eliminate the vehicles from cities.
Mr O’Brien, who lives in Melbourne, revealed the registration fee for a “Big Car” in a metropolitan area was only $1.10 more expensive than a smaller car (per VicRoads fees).
He suggested, tongue-in-cheek he later admitted, that fee number be multiplied “by however mad you are about these Big Cars” to produce a more adequate price tag.
The self-confessed Toyota Hi-Lux fan said while his post was fuelled by angst initially, he was serious about increasing how much mega trucks owners pay to use Aussie roads.
“I don’t think $1.10 covers the meaningful difference in terms of the impact these have, especially in inner-city suburbs,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Right now, you can buy one of these cars and you pay very little in terms of impact on society.
“It’s about saying you’re choosing this vehicle. And the costs of this vehicle are high and they’re being borne by the rest of society.
“People are less likely to engage in streetscapes or take their kids to the park because these cars make the roads feel less safe.”
Larger vehicles are also more costly for the environment, in terms of pollution and carbon emissions – a big car requires a big engine, which requires more fuel to run, which produces more emissions.
The Standards Australia proposal has already proven to be controversial, with hundreds of comments on its consultation site speaking against lengthening parking spaces.
YIMBY Melbourne will add its own submission urging against the proposal, Mr O’Brien said.
“For decades and decades we haven’t needed these mega trucks,” he added.
“In the city, where the roads are thinner, there’s just no room for them. Where do cyclists go? Where does a car going the other way go?”
Despite the backlash from some motorists about the rise of mega trucks, RAM sales are up more than 50 per cent this year. The brand recently launched its new 1500 Big Horn model in Australia, under the marketing slogan: “It’s not big unless it’s a RAM 1500 Big Horn.”
The utes are a hit with drivers who are drawn to their size, large and powerful engines and towing capacity of up to 4500kg.
They are also a boon for local manufacturing, as they are imported to Australia before being converted to right-hand drive in a factory in Melbourne.
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