Document variety of automobiles on roads as EVs surge previous the million mark

The variety of automobiles on Britain’s roads hit a document excessive in 2024, climbing 1.4% to 41.96 million, in line with contemporary Motorparc figures from the Society of Motor Producers and Merchants (SMMT).

Automobiles led the cost, with 470,556 extra hitting the roads, bringing the overall to 36.17 million – the third straight yr of progress and the second greatest annual leap since 2016. Behind the rise is a robust new automotive market and booming battery EV uptake, with BEVs accounting for practically 20% of recent registrations final yr.

Vans additionally hit a brand new excessive, up 1.8% to over 5.1 million – 1,000,000 greater than in 2015. HGVs and buses held regular, although the UK’s public transport fleet is now the smallest on document.

However it’s EVs which can be powering the shift. The variety of plug-in automobiles surged 34.6% to 2.16 million, now making up 1 in each 20 automobiles. BEVs alone jumped 38.9% to 1.33 million, crossing the million-car milestone and accounting for 3.7% of all automobiles in use – a full share level rise from 2023.

Regardless of the electrical rise, petrol automobiles nonetheless dominate, with 21 million in use (up 1%), whereas diesels continued their slide – down 4.4% to 11.6 million, their fifth consecutive annual fall.

The shift to cleaner automobiles is working. Common CO₂ emissions fell 1.6%, with firm automotive emissions dropping 5.6% due to stronger EV fleet incentives. Non-public automotive emissions nudged down simply 1%, underscoring the decision for extra client assist to speed up decarbonisation.

However the parc is ageing with the common automotive on the highway now 9.5 years outdated, up from 9.3 in 2023 and nicely above the 8-year common seen simply 5 years in the past. Greater than 43% of automobiles have been in service for over a decade – predating cleaner Euro 6 requirements.

Business automobiles are going greener too. Zero-emission buses jumped 81.8% to three,494 – practically 5% of the fleet – whereas battery vans rose 31.6% to 80,476. Electrical vehicles stay uncommon however on the rise.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief govt, stated: “Britain’s automobile parc is rising, offering important mobility for the nation whereas decreasing its environmental impression. Nonetheless, there’s scope to push environmental enhancements a lot quicker as motorists are holding onto their automobiles for longer, some one and half years longer on common, than solely 5 years in the past.

“Drivers want extra incentives and larger confidence in infrastructure funding if we’re to interchange the excessive volumes of older high-emission automobiles with zero-emission options. Success will maintain the nation on the transfer whereas driving up financial progress from each enterprise depending on highway transport.”