Parking in the city is becoming a real headache for SUV drivers in Bordeaux. From May 2, 2025, these vehicles will have to pay a 30% increase on parking rates.
A change that does not go unnoticed: Bordeaux town hall is tackling the largest vehicles.
SUV: a radical change for Bordeaux drivers
In Bordeaux, owners of SUVs and heavy vehicles will have to adapt to a new parking policy. From May 2, 2025, prices will increase by 30% for the largest cars, a decision motivated by ecological and urban considerations. The measure, initiated by the environmentalist town hall led by Pierre Hurmic, targets thermal vehicles weighing more than 1,600 kilos as well as hybrids and electric vehicles weighing more than 1,900 kilos. But what are the reasons behind this initiative?
Heavy vehicles, especially SUVs, pose several problems in cities. According to the town hall, these models “generate more pollution” and worsen CO₂ emissions. Their weight also leads to accelerated deterioration of road infrastructure and an increase in fine particles released during braking. Didier Jeanjean, deputy in charge of nature in the city, emphasizes that SUVs emit 20% more greenhouse gases compared to lighter vehicles.
An example inspired by Paris
In addition to the environmental aspect, the volume of SUVs amplifies a recurring problem in large cities: the occupation of public space. In Bordeaux, these oversized vehicles clutter the parking lots and reduce the capacity of parking spaces. By increasing prices, the town hall hopes to dissuade the use of these vehicles and improve traffic flow in the city center, an objective shared by many citizens in favor of more peaceful cities.
-Bordeaux is not the first city to take such measures. In Paris, visitors with an SUV have had to pay three times more to park since October 2024, although this measure spares residents. These policies reflect a common desire to respond to the growth of SUVs, which now represent 49% of vehicle sales in France. Their growing popularity reflects different consumer expectations, but it conflicts with the ecological goals of big cities. The price increase will affect around 10% of non-professional subscribers and 14% of visitors, according to data provided by the town hall. Professionals remain exempt from this increase.
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