Zero Sum Autobesity

Cars produced in 2024 are on average 5% taller than cars in 2016. The average car length in 2016 was 420cm, in 2024 it was 441cm. In the same period car width has also increased from 176cm to 182cm, and quite a few recent models approach or succeed 200cm. According to the laws of proportion a threedimensional object that is 5% larger increases its volume by 1.05xd1.05×1.05 =15.7%. That’s a waste of resources but it wasn’t always like that. As a result of the oil crisis and fuel efficiency mandates vehicle weight dropped by about 20% between the mid-1970s and the late 1980s . However since then, despite growing environmental, political and economic concerns, cars have steadily grown larger and heavier. Today’s cars are 10% heavier than in the (already heavy) early 70’s. One of the reasons people buy bigger cars is because of safety concerns. However, an increase in safety for the driver means a decrease in safety for other road users. In the United States, pedestrian fatalities increased by 57% between 2013 and 2022. Classic zero sum. Even people in the car business seem unhappy. Shrinking Man recently spoke to a KIA dealer who shared that the continuous increase in car size makes his job a lot more stressfull. Transport, taxes, environmental regulation and having a big enough showroom are constant worries. As they should be.