Dr. Peter Mock:

I am not a legal expert but I believe the situation is the same as it is for cigarettes, meaning that the advertisement of SUVs can be banned. I think that is possible. Also, cities can ban SUVs or certain types of vehicles from entering their urban areas, or other areas. We would still face a lot of angry people going to court against that sort of position but I think there is a good chance that governments or cities would be allowed to impose these bans. However, banning sales of SUVs would not be allowed. That would be against European Union Internal Market regulations. I am pretty sure it would not be possible.

The idea of taxation is that external costs are internalised. This means that if SUVs are heavy, pollute more, damage roads more and kill more people, this is taken into account and it is basically made more expensive to drive or own those vehicles. Yes, it is right that it is, so to speak, unfair because rich people can still afford them but at least the costs are internalised and are paid by the people who own these cars rather than by society overall. It is, therefore, a little fairer than the current situation.