Basically people will decide the price they're willing to pay and will increase their "needs" until they hit that price. Cars have gotten much more efficient, so they've gotten bigger. This is the same effect you see with highways; as soon as you build a better road more people will use it (driving further and eschewing alternative transport) until the new road is just as crowded as the old one.
Environment
Your definitive source for news, information, issues and activism related to the environment.
For me, it is obnoxious how few options there are to replace my 2013 Volt. I'd like a compact, nimble hybrid that doesn't drive like an appliance. The options are few, because that type of product isn't as profitable, it seems
Industry promoted versus trend?
Here's a better issue to pursue. From the same source, ironically:
Please stop trotting out a six year old story in some weird attempt to say people bear no blame for the things they consume. Who do you think those companies are selling to?
My dude, the big question is what would have the biggest impact on slowing/stopping climate change. We are on a rapid decent and people recycling, using paper straws, or not buying SUVs sure as hell ain't gonna do much. It will help, but it is like throwing a snowball at a wildfire. If we don't deal with the biggest problem, the rate of climate damage will outpace the mitigation.
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20231103-plastic-or-paper-the-truth-about-drinking-straws
Why are you linking me to stuff about recycling and plastic straws that have little or nothing at all to do with carbon emissions or climate change?
Why is that your take away from that paragraph I typed out?