Are SUVs vegan?

The short answer is no, they are not.   But the reasons might not be what you think.   

I've also heard that vehicles often use some animal products in them.   But I'm not going into that here because that is beyond the point I'm going to make. 

My point is SUVs needlessly take lives.   Let's look at some research below.   To quote from a study quoted in an article written by Naomi Buck which you can read here  to learn more**:

"Researchers at the University of Michigan's Transportation Research Institute have concluded that a pedestrian hit by an LTV (light truck vehicle, which includes minivans*, pickup trucks and SUVs) is more than three times more likely to be killed than one hit by a car – less due to the vehicle's greater mass than due to its height and the design of its front end".

*I'm staring minivan because according to "High and Mighty:The Dangerous Rise of the SUV" the kill rates from minivans are actually much lower than SUVs and pick-up trucks.   However, the kill rates from minivans are still higher than those of sedans thus minivans should only be considered as an option if absolutely needed".   

As vegans the goal is to do the least harm to animals and the vulnerable.   Humans are animals too and cyclists and pedestrians are the vulnerable.     As vegans it is our duty to protect the vulnerable.    

I often hear other vegans talk about the horrors of horses in urban areas pulling tourists on busy streets.   And I do agree that this is wrong.   But our duty goes beyond condemning this practice.   It is our duty not to endanger the horses.   Certainly the least we can do is to not drive a SUV that puts the horses at excessive risk...and better yet not driving or being driven in a personal vehicle whenever possible.    

There is also the issue of the suffering of animals all over the world due to climate change.   This would also include human animals.   Even hybrid SUVs pollute needlessly and excessively compared to hybrid cars.   And the best options anyways for the environment are walking, cycling or public transit, so when not needed avoiding personal vehicles entirely.   And in urban and urbanized areas personal vehicles are rarely needed.   

As the vegan movement moves beyond, just looking at avoiding animal products in food and clothing, not owning SUVs is something the vegan movement really needs to take into serious consideration.    

**Another article I recommend to read more on this is Lloyd Alter's here.   Update: Since writing this there have been many additional articles written on the topic of the dangers and environmental impact of SUVs.   I have compiled a list here.