In a bid to reduce traffic congestion and tackle air pollution, Parisians went to the polls on Sunday to vote on whether to triple the parking charges for SUVs in the city center. This referendum has garnered attention not only from the auto industry but also from city officials across Europe.

If the proposal passes, drivers of SUVs could face parking fees exceeding $19.40 per hour. This means that a few hours of shopping in the fashion capital would cost over $100 in parking fees alone. Parisian officials have been actively implementing measures to slash traffic in the city, including the implementation of bike rental programs and last year's ban on rented e-scooters.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo cited concerns over road safety, air pollution, and climate change as the basis for targeting SUVs. Hidalgo referred to a report by the World Wild Fund for Nature that stated SUVs were 20 percent more polluting than average cars. She also highlighted that pedestrians were twice as likely to be killed in an SUV collision compared to standard vehicles.

However, driver advocacy groups have criticized the proposed plan, arguing that penalizing SUVs based on weight criteria unfairly impacts families. Campaigners claim that SUVs have grown wider and heavier in recent years, contributing to what they call "car bloat" or "autobesity." A report by Transport and Environment found that SUVs in Europe have been expanding by one centimeter every two years, with some new cars wider than on-street parking spaces.

While European city officials are aiming to push SUVs out of city centers, consumer demand for these vehicles remains high. SUVs accounted for over half of the vehicles sold in Europe last year.

The referendum, held for over 1 million eligible voters in the inner city, is expected to pass according to polls. The proposal specifically targets non-Parisians with SUVs or other large vehicles weighing over 1.6 tonnes (1.76 tons), or two tonnes (2.20 tons) in the case of electric vehicles. They would be subject to an 18 euro ($19.40) per hour parking fee in the city center. Those who live or work in the city and hold parking permits in their area would be exempt from these charges.

The outcome of this referendum carries symbolic importance, according to Philipp Rode, executive director of LSE Cities program at the London School of Economics. Rode highlighted that Paris, as an innovative city, sets an example for others. He emphasized the educational aspect of the proposed policy, stating that while SUVs may have a place in areas like Arizona, they pose challenges in inner cities.

With the automotive industry closely monitoring the results, the Paris referendum could have a significant impact on market trends in European cities.