The UK just broke a new record: 42 million vehicles now crowd the roads, according to the latest data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). But while petrol and diesel still hold the crown, it’s electric vehicles that are really making waves.
EVs are officially on the rise, with 1.3 million now in use across the UK. That’s a 38.9% jump in just one year, proof that the electric shift is no longer a niche trend. Add in plug-in hybrids, and electric-powered vehicles now make up over 5% of the total UK car parc, or 2.16 million vehicles. Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) alone account for 3.7%—up a full percentage point from 2023.
That said, the old guard isn’t gone yet. Petrol cars still dominate with 21 million vehicles (58.2% market share), and diesel—though in steady decline—still makes up over 11 million. It’s the fifth year diesel numbers have dropped, down another 4.4% in 2024.
Vans are having a moment too, hitting a record 5.1 million on the road. That’s a million more than just nine years ago. But heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) stayed flat, and bus numbers hit an all-time low—just 71,718, the smallest count since records began.
One stat that’s raising eyebrows: UK owners are holding onto their cars longer. The average UK vehicle is now 9.5 years old, with over 43% of cars older than a decade. That’s not great news for emissions—especially with so many older, higher-polluting models still out there.
SMMT chief Mike Hawes says the message is clear: “We could go much faster. But drivers need better incentives and a stronger charging network to feel confident making the switch.”
More highlights from the SMMT report:
- Superminis are still king of the road, followed closely by lower medium models—together they make up nearly 60% of all cars.
- Germany leads as the UK’s top car supplier (29.5%), ahead of the UK itself (14.1%) and Spain (10.3%).
- Black is the most popular car colour. Again.
- Automatics are rising fast—driven in part by EV adoption—while manuals keep sliding.
- Company cars are leading the electric transition, with nearly 60% of EVs registered to businesses.
On the gender split, men still account for the majority of vehicle registrations at 51.1%, but women are closing the gap with a 4% rise over the past five years.
Bottom line? The UK’s car landscape is changing, slowly, but surely. EV adoption is climbing, even as older petrol and diesel vehicles cling on. If the pace picks up, 2025 could be the year the electric revolution really hits the fast lane.
