The UK’s vehicle ownership reached a new high in 2024, with more than one million electric vehicles (EVs) now on the roads, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). 

The total number of vehicles in the UK increased by 1.4% to 41,964,268, with cars in use growing 1.3% to 36,165,401.  

This is the third consecutive year of growth, driven by the new car market, which saw 1.953 million new cars registered in 2024.  

In March 2024, the new car market experienced a 12.4% increase, reaching 357,103 units. 

Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) made up 19.6% of this market. 

Van usage also reached record levels, increasing 1.8% to 5,102,180 units.  

More than one million vans have been added to UK roads since 2015. 

Meanwhile, heavy goods vehicle volumes remained stable, with a decrease of 0.1% to 625,509 units.  

Bus and coach volumes also fell 0.1% to 71,718 units. 

The UK’s vehicle parc (the total number of vehicles on the road at a specific point in time) is increasingly decarbonising, with a 34.6% rise in plug-in vehicles (BEV and plug-in hybrid), now accounting for 5.1% or 2,157,360 vehicles.  

BEVs saw a 38.9% increase to 1,334,246 units, comprising 3.7% of cars in use, up from 2023. 

Petrol-powered cars remain dominant, rising 1% to 21 million, while diesel volumes fell 4.4% to 11.6 million – the fifth consecutive year of decline for diesel.  

The shift towards lower and zero-emission technologies has reduced average car CO₂ emissions 1.6%, driven by a 5.6% fall in company car emissions due to fiscal incentives and manufacturer investments. 

The average age of a car on UK roads has increased to 9.5 years, up from 9.3 years in 2023, with more than 43.4% of the total parc in use for more than a decade.  

This predates the introduction of lower-emission Euro 6 technology, highlighting the need for consumer incentives to accelerate decarbonisation. 

The commercial vehicle parc is also decarbonising, with an 81.8% increase in zero-emission buses to 3,494 units, accounting for 4.9% of buses in use.  

Battery electric van volumes rose 31.6% to 80,476 units, representing 1.6% of the parc. Electric truck usage also increased, although they account for less than 0.1% of the fleet. 

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes stated: “Britain’s vehicle parc is growing, providing essential mobility for the nation while reducing its environmental impact. However, there is scope to push environmental improvements much faster as motorists are holding onto their cars for longer, some one and half years longer on average than only five years ago. 

“Drivers need more incentives and greater confidence in infrastructure investment if we are to replace the high volumes of older high-emission cars with zero-emission alternatives. Success will keep the country on the move while driving up economic growth from every business dependent on road transport.”