• Search
  • Français
  • Subscribe
  • Our Work
    • Climate solutions

      Let's overcome the climate crisis and create a promising future for all.

      Learn More
    • Thriving nature

      Let’s respect, protect and restore nature so it can sustain all life.

      Learn More
    • Sustainable communities

      Let’s reimagine communities to build resilience and increase well-being.

      Learn More
    All projectsAn illustration of a compass
  • Experts
    • Founding family
      Learn More
    • Fellows
      Learn More
    • Science and policy
      Learn More
    • Communications and engagement
      Learn More
    • Media contacts
      Learn More
    ExpertsAn illustration of a compass
  • Take Action
    • Act online
      Learn More
    • Act locally
      Learn More
    • Act at home
      Learn More
    • Volunteer
      Learn More
    Take actionAn illustration of a compass
  • Stories
  • About
    • Our story
      Learn More
    • Staff and board
      Learn More
    • Financials and annual review
      Learn More
    • Contact and FAQs
      Learn More
    • Declaration of Interdependence
      Learn More
    AboutAn illustration of a compass
  • Donate
    • Become a fundraiser

      Raise money for the Foundation.

      Learn More
    • Donate stocks

      Give stocks or other publicly traded securities.

      Learn More
    • Leave a gift in your will

      Help restore and protect nature for generations to come.

      Learn More
    • Become a Monthly Donor

      Provide ongoing, reliable funds.

      Learn More
    • Make a one-time donation

      Protect the people and places you love.

      Learn More
    See more ways to giveAn illustration of a compass

What can we help you find?

Sorry, but your search returned no results. Try searching with different keywords.

  • Our Work
    • Climate solutions
    • Thriving nature
    • Sustainable communities
    • All projects
  • Experts
    • Founding family
    • Fellows
    • Science and policy
    • Communications and engagement
    • Media contacts
    • Experts
  • Take Action
    • Act online
    • Act locally
    • Act at home
    • Volunteer
    • Take action
  • Stories
  • About
    • Our story
    • Staff and board
    • Financials and annual review
    • Contact and FAQs
    • Declaration of Interdependence
    • About
  • Donate
    • Become a fundraiser
    • Donate stocks
    • Leave a gift in your will
    • Become a Monthly Donor
    • Make a one-time donation
    • See more ways to give
  • Search
  • Français
  • Subscribe
February 2022
Back to search results
Report

Willing to Downsize? Understanding Consumer Demand for SUVs in Metro Vancouver

Published by: David Suzuki Foundation and partners
Authored by: Jonn Axsen, Zoe Long, Michael Wolinetz
Partners: Sustainable Transportation Action Research Team, Simon Fraser University School of Resource and Environmental Management, Navius Research
ISBN: 978-1-988424-79-8

Climate solutions, Cities sustainable transportation, climate change, fossil fuels

2.8 MB

In Canada and globally, the growing share of sport utility vehicles in the passenger market is challenging sustainability goals, especially efforts to decarbonize the transportation system. Alarmingly, light-duty trucks made up 80 per cent of new vehicle sales in Canada in 2020 and 2021, compared to 54 per cent in 2010. Larger and heavier vehicles require more energy per kilometre, emit more greenhouse gases and present increased safety risks compared to smaller vehicles. In this report, we explore what motivates consumer interest in SUVs, and what conditions might lead consumers to shift toward smaller vehicles.

Willing to Downsize? Understanding Consumer Demand for SUVs in Metro Vancouver

Related resources

View all
Cities, Climate solutions
March 2021

Young adults and mobility: perceptions and aspirations

Jérôme Laviolette

This new report reveals how the psychosocial factors of our attachment to the automobile influence the choices young people make today that will affect their transportation choices in the future.

Read More
Climate solutions, Cities
December 2020

Pricing It Right for Climate: Using Mobility Pricing to Drive Down Transport Emissions in Metro Vancouver and Montreal

Jonn Axsen, Michael Wolinetz

Cities around the world have been using mobility or road pricing to successfully tackle traffic congestion. But the climate emergency also demands urgent action. This report evaluates whether mobility pricing can help reduce transportation emissions and traffic congestion while ushering in a better quality of life.

Read More
Climate solutions, Cities
November 2019

Shifting Gears: Climate Solutions for Transportation in Cities, Metro Vancouver Case Study

Jonn Axsen, Michael Wolinetz

We’re at a pivotal moment to act on the climate crisis. Transportation accounts for some of the highest carbon emissions. Low-carbon transportation solutions are vital to meeting public demand for climate action. This report looks at the most effective policies in low-carbon transportation for B.C. and Metro Vancouver to reach 2030 and 2050 carbon emission targets.

Read More

You can help

Protect the people and places you love. Donate today.

Yes — I want to donate today! 

Science and Learning Centre

View more
An illustration of a compass

Join our email community

  • Ways to give
  • Contact us
  • Media
  • Careers
  • Privacy

Canadian charitable number: BN 127756716RR0001
US charitable number: 94-3204049

The David Suzuki Foundation acknowledges Indigenous Peoples throughout Canada, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis — more than 900,000 people living in around 630 Indigenous communities and in cities and towns across these lands.

© 2025 David Suzuki Foundation. Website by Briteweb

© 2025 David Suzuki Foundation. Website by Briteweb