Members of Extinction Rebellion (XR) staged a peaceful demonstration at a well-known car dealership in Hereford last weekend to highlight what they believe to be a major contributor to the Climate Crisis: Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs).

If annual carbon emissions from all SUVs worldwide were pooled and then ranked as though they were a nation-state, they’d be on a par with Iran, which is the seventh highest emitter globally, claim the group.

“It’s common sense,” an XR leader told the Ross Gazette: “The sheer size and weight of SUVs means they burn more petrol or diesel, and so produce more carbon emissions compared to standard cars.

“Making bigger cars also uses more energy. In fact, the recent shift towards heavier cars has cancelled out the worldwide carbon savings from improved car engine efficiency and electric cars.

‘‘The small electric motor and battery system in these cars typically provides 30 miles of low emission driving but only under ideal conditions - when the car is fully charged first at home, and if the driver does not demand full power.’’

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