Total UK Vehicles Exceed 40 Million With An Electric Surge

Recent data released by Motorparc and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) unveils a new milestone in the UK’s vehicle landscape. A record-breaking 41.4 million vehicles are now cruising its roads, marking the highest number ever recorded.

At the close of 2023, the total number of vehicles surged by 1.7%, reaching 41,404,589. Of these, cars saw over a 1.5% increase, totalling 35,694,000, with motor trade dealers selling 546,800 new cars in 2023 alone.

Notably, plug-in vehicles experienced their most substantial ownership growth since 2016, with nearly half a million new battery electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles registered during the year. The data underscores a 47.3% increase in BEV usage compared to 2022, with zero-emission vehicles now constituting 2.7% of all cars on UK roads.

Mike Hawes, Chief Executive of SMMT, highlights the shift towards greener options and the need to motivate consumers and businesses to embrace emissions-free vehicles to accelerate the nation’s transition towards net-zero emissions.

Despite the surge in vehicle numbers, there’s a positive environmental impact, with average car CO2 emissions decreasing by 2.1% in 2023. Company car emissions dropped by 11.5%, credited to incentives encouraging fleet investments in EVs and zero-emission models.

Commercial vehicles also witnessed a surge, with 625,873 heavy goods vehicles and 5,012,632 vans currently operating, up by 1.7% and 2.6%, respectively. The rise in zero-emission vans, with BEV volumes increasing by 43.5% to 61,161, underscores a growing trend towards cleaner transportation.

Moreover, the UK’s electric vehicle (EVs) market is experiencing a remarkable surge. By the end of February 2024, over 1,000,000 fully electric cars and 620,000 plug-in hybrids were registered on UK roads. This spike in EV sales reflects shifting consumer preferences and an expanding market, making up over half of the UK’s vehicle sales market share.

Projections indicate a substantial increase in EV adoption by 2030, with estimates suggesting that these cars could make up a fifth of all vehicles on UK roads, totalling around 6.5 million. This significant shift reflects the government’s commitment to cleaner mobility and the anticipated decline in traditional combustion vehicles.

However, this electric revolution necessitates a robust charging infrastructure. The SMMT estimates that 2.3 million charging points will be needed by 2030 to cater to the growing demand for EVs, highlighting the urgency of widespread charging infrastructure development. However, there is no insurance policy in place to ensure this target is achieved.

Accessibility to charging points emerges as a critical concern, especially with the impending ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, a looming target the motor trade is well aware of.

Initiatives aim to expand the charging network, with over 61,000 charge point connectors across 22,000 locations in the UK and over 700,000 charge points installed at homes or workplaces nationwide.

The surge in electric vehicle adoption underscores a shift in transportation patterns driven by consumer demand, environmental concerns, and regulation. As the UK embraces a future of cleaner travel, the electrification of transportation stands at the forefront, promising a greener, more sustainable future.