Record Numbers Hit UK Roads

15/04/2025 12:28 Share

Record Numbers Hit UK Roads

A record-breaking number of vehicles are now using UK roads, according to Motorparc data that has been released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

During 2024, the number of vehicles reached a new high of 41,964,268, which included 36,165,401 cars – which also marked a new high after year-on-year growth of 1.3%.

That marked the third year in a row in which the number of cars on the road has increased, with the number of battery electric cars passing the one million mark for the first time.

Traditional ICE cars still dominate the figures, with 58.2% of cars running on petrol and 32.1% of cars powered by diesel – the latter having dropped for a fifth successive year.

Although the number of cars has increased, drivers are now keeping hold of their cars for a longer period of time with the average age of cars now sitting at 9.5 years. In fact, 31.7% of cars on the road by the end of 2024 are now more than twelve years old and therefore unlikely to meet the Euro 6 emission standards that were introduced in 2014.

“Britain’s vehicle parc is growing, providing essential mobility for the nation while reducing its environmental impact,” SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said. “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.”