UK vehicle parc hits record 42.5m as EVs rise but fleet ages
The UK's vehicle fleet has reached a record 42.5 million, with 1 in 9 vehicles now electrified, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The average age of cars has increased to 9.7 years as motorists hold onto vehicles longer amid economic uncertainty.
The UK's vehicle fleet has hit a record 42,549,649 vehicles in 2025, with the number of cars in use rising by 1.4% to 36,676,185. A record 1,797,809 battery electric cars are now in use, up 34.7% on 2024, and accounting for almost 5% of the car parc. The shift to cleaner technologies is delivering environmental benefits, with average car CO2 emissions down by 2.9% compared with 2024. However, 45.7% of all cars on the road have now been in service for more than a decade, up from 43.4% in 2024. The average age of cars has increased to 9.7 years as motorists hold onto vehicles longer. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders is calling for a holistic review of the UK's zero-emission vehicle transition to ensure businesses and consumers can make the switch to achieve net zero by 2050.
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