The number of vehicles on British roads reached its highest ever level in 2024, rising by 1.4% to 41,964,268, according to new Motorparc data published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The number of cars in use also reached a new high, growing by 1.3% or 470,556 units to 36,165,401, marking the third consecutive year of growth and the second-biggest volume gain since 2016.1 The increase reflects growth in the new car market, which in 2024 saw 1.953 million new cars registered, with battery electric vehicles (BEVs) making up 19.6% of the market.
Britain’s vehicle parc continues to decarbonise, with a 34.6% increase in plug-in vehicles (BEV and plug-in hybrid) – now accounting for one in 20 (5.1%), or 2,157,360 vehicles in use. Manufacturer discounting has driven up demand for battery electric cars which saw them remain the fastest growing sector of the parc, breaking the million motor milestone as volumes soared by 38.9% to 1,334,246 units. As a result, BEVs comprise 3.7% of cars in use, up a full percentage point on 2023.
The proliferation of newer lower and zero emission technologies across the parc led to a reduction in average car CO2, which dropped by -1.6%. This was fuelled by a significant fall in company car emissions, down -5.6% thanks to fiscal fleet incentives and manufacturer investment into an ever-expanding range of electrified model choices to appeal to every motorist. Private car CO2 also dipped, falling marginally by -1.0%, demonstrating a need for consumer fiscal incentives to deliver rapid decarbonisation.
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.
Source: smmt.co.uk
