A study put online in October 2024 on the website of the FPS Mobility and Transport calculates the increase in the automobile surface area in Belgium. “In 2023, the Belgian automobile fleet would number no less than 6 million vehicles, which represents an area corresponding to 9,787 football fields.” An increase of 1,422 lots in 10 years. This increase is largely explained by the increase in the number of vehicles, but also by the increase in their size.
In 2012, the length median of vehicles in Belgium was 4.47 m. It increased to 4.55 m in 2023. An increase that we also find for the width median which increased from 1.8 m to 1.83 m. “At first glance, a few more centimeters do not seem to make a big difference, but combined with the additional length, this represents a slab of 48 centimes by 48 more,” points out the study.
The study takes up a series of models, with the evolution of their width between 2018 and 2023. The most marked progression is that of the Skoda Fabia +8.40%. The Mercedes Benz C180 shows an increase of +5.69%, the Hyundai I10 + 5,33 %, Seat Ibiza + 5.14%, the Hyundai i10 + 5.33%, the VW Polo + 4.10%, the BMW 318i + 4,04 %.
According to the Brussels minister, the current standard in Brussels is 2 meters wide for a place, with a minimum of 1.80 m. The responsibility of the Brussels Region has never been incurred due to damage linked to a location deemed too small. “Anyone who parks their car must check whether there is enough space.”
