Ageing car fleet risks slowing UK’s electric vehicle transition, warns RAC Foundation

The average age of cars on UK roads has reached a record nine years and 10 months, as drivers keep vehicles for longer amid rising costs and improved build quality, according to new data from the RAC Foundation.

The motoring charity has warned that while longer-lasting cars may help hard-pressed households, they could also delay the shift to electric vehicles (EVs) — a key pillar of Britain’s net zero plans.

The RAC Foundation’s analysis of DVLA data shows the average age has climbed from seven years and five months in 2015, with nearly 41% of all licensed cars now more than a decade old.

Petrol vehicles were the oldest on average at 10 years and four months, followed closely by diesels at 10 years and one month. In contrast, plug-in hybrids are typically just over three years old, and battery electric vehicles average only two years and six months — reflecting their more recent uptake.

In total, almost 34 million cars were licensed in the UK at the end of 2024, but fewer than 1.3 million were battery EVs.

“The bad news for the environment is that the ageing fleet means the replacement of fossil-fuelled cars by low or zero-emission models is not happening quickly enough,” said Steve Gooding, Director of the RAC Foundation.

“Even a 20-year-old car can be a reliable bargain these days, but that also means people are less likely to trade up to an electric alternative.”

Gooding said the UK would need a tenfold increase in EVs to reach net zero targets — a transition that will require “a huge push” from both industry and policymakers.

The findings come as separate figures from Cox Automotive reveal that the average price of a new petrol car has risen from £27,871 in 2013 to £45,218 in 2024 — an increase of 62%, far outpacing general consumer price inflation of around 35% over the same period.

Experts say this is driven by demand for larger, more luxurious cars, as well as stricter safety and environmental regulations which have increased manufacturing costs.

“While newer cars are safer and cleaner, regulatory upgrades and features like collision-avoidance systems are pushing up sticker prices, making new vehicle purchases less accessible,” said one analyst.

Used cars remain in high demand, with 7.6 million second-hand vehicles sold in the UK last year — a 5.5% increase on 2023, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The Ford Fiesta retained its crown as the UK’s most popular used car, with more than 300,000 units sold.

However, the SMMT warned that the health of the used car market is dependent on a strong pipeline of new vehicle sales. Without a consistent flow of new EVs entering the market, supply shortages will limit second-hand availability and undermine consumer choice.

To support the switch to EVs, the SMMT has renewed its call for the government to reduce VAT on new electric cars to 5%, down from the standard 20%.

“The automotive industry cannot force consumers to buy zero-emission vehicles,” the group said. “With higher production costs, EVs remain more expensive than petrol or diesel cars. Price parity is crucial.”

The SMMT argues that more government incentives — alongside continued investment in charging infrastructure — are needed to build confidence and encourage mass adoption of EVs.