UK vs Europe for car enthusiasts

I realize this may sound a little alarmist, but we've all seen news articles about the things that city councils are doing that are making driving a car a little more problematic. Things charging for parking based on CO2 (as if the charge for DRIVING the car isn't already based on CO2), eliminating parking spaces, "banning" big cars that are "too long" from parking (cars that have been on the market for a decade!), closing some roads off from private transport. Then ULEZ expanded in London with a short notice (something like 10-11 months which I consider too short for affected residents of the area). Now ULEZ counterparts are popping up all over the UK.
Are things like this happening across Europe or is the UK seriously in the lead on this front?

If it helps, I was looking to buy a Maserati Grecale in France, but the initial registration charge (based on emissions and weight) is more than €60,000.

Cars in the UK are pretty good value relative to other European countries. For example in Portugal new cars are taxed as 'luxury items', hence are relative to displacement sizes and if theres is hybridisation etc. A 992 Porsche 911 Turbo S starts at EUR 302 000 before you even dive into PTS and adaptive cruise. Ouch.

We also have a very liquid used car market and a good deal of indy specialists as well as a strong petrolhead community here in the UK, making ownership pretty stress free and fun compared to other countries.

That being said the UK roads aren't exactly set up for the ownership potential. They are very busy, highly policed and poor quality in some areas. I guess that is why we all spend so long planning continental trips to enjoy the cars. I would say the grass isn't always greener, we have it pretty good in the UK and probably one of the strongest owners communities.

Germany might be the only country that seems 'better' than the UK judging by the number of interesting cars in general use. The TuV inspections needed for modifications seems to make such cars more acceptable on the open market as you know the history. Plus a range of scenery.

Scandinavia and the Low Countries have harsh taxes.

The Italians tax 'big' cars, plus densely populated in the affluent north.

The French and Spaniards don't seem to go for 'nice' cars for whatever reason, perhaps there isn't the money away from the big urban areas (and in the urban areas someone will set your car on fire to celebrate New Year or something )

Ireland always had worse roads than us, not sure what it is like these days.

It costs circa €60,000 to tax a new GR Yaris in France….

Have you been to France? What you have listed is nothing compared to what is happening there.

It's six of one half a dozen of the other, from my travels.

We (UK) aren't taxed as highly as some other European countries.

Our circumstances (UK) aren't the worst, nor is our insurance, compared to other European countries.

We're somewhat in the middle of cost/penalisation for infractions.

I've spoken to enough Nordic folk that made me walk away and think to myself we haven't got it that bad over here

1.6 litre.

Ireland the car is €58k new vs £35k in the UK. I believe I’m right in saying the UK has some of the cheapest new car prices in Europe.

First registration charge is based upon fiscal horsepower (a function of hp and CO2 emissions), CO2 emissions and weight. There's no annual VED.

So a GR Yaris (261hp, 197 g/km and 1,280kg) costs near-as-dammit the same as a Maserati Grecale Modena (330hp, 199 g/km and 1,895kg) because the Maserati's mild hybrid system keeps a lid on the emissions.

You will also be fine with ULEZ with a vehicle that complies with Crit’air 1. Our fines are nothing compared to france €45 at the moment but is going to increase to €750