The United States has the world's highest rate of vehicle ownership per capita in the world, with 832 vehicles in operation (VIO) per 1000 people in 2016.Electric bicycles parked in Yangzhou's main street, Wenchang Lu. They are a very common way of transport in this city, in some areas almost outnumbering regular bicycles.British manufacturer engine motorcycle
A motor vehicle, also known as a motorized vehicle, automotive vehicle or road vehicle, is a self-propelled land vehicle, commonly wheeled, that does not operate on rails (such as trains or trams) and is used for the transportation of people or cargo.
The vehicle propulsion is provided by an engine or motor, usually an internal combustion engine or an electric motor, or some combination of the two, such as hybrid electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. For legal purpose, motor vehicles are often identified within a number of vehicle classes including cars, buses, motorcycles, off-road vehicles, light trucks and regular trucks. These classifications vary according to the legal codes of each country. ISO 3833:1977 is the standard for road vehicle types, terms and definitions.[2] Generally, to avoid requiring people with disabilities from having to possess an operator's license to use one, or requiring tags and insurance, powered wheelchairs will be specifically excluded by law from being considered motor vehicles.
As of 2011[update], there were more than onebillion motor vehicles in use in the world, excluding off-road vehicles and heavy construction equipment.[3][4][5] The US publisher Ward's estimates that as of 2019, there were 1.4billion motor vehicles in use in the world.[6]
Global vehicle ownership per capita in 2010 was 148 vehicles in operation (VIO) per 1000 people.[5] China has the largest motor vehicle fleet in the world, with 322million motor vehicles registered at the end of September 2018.[7] The United States has the highest vehicle ownership per capita in the world, with 832 vehicles in operation per 1000 people in 2016.[1] Also, China became the world's largest new car market in 2009.[4][5][8] In 2022, a total of 85 million cars and commercial vehicles were built, led by China which built a total of 27 million motor vehicles.[9]
(o) “Power-driven vehicle” means any self-propelled road vehicle, other than a moped in the territories of Contracting Parties which do not treat mopeds as motorcycles, and other than a rail-borne vehicle;
(p) “Motor vehicle” means any power-driven vehicle which is normally used for carrying persons or goods by road or for drawing, on the road, vehicles used for the carriage of persons or goods. This term embraces trolley-buses, that is to say, vehicles connected to an electric conductor and not rail-borne. It does not cover vehicles, such as agricultural tractors, which are only incidentally used for carrying persons or goods by road or for drawing, on the road, vehicles used for the carriage of persons or goods
—Vienna convention on road traffic
Other sources might provide other definitions, for instance in the year 1977, ISO 3833:1977 provide other definitions.
Motor vehicle ownership per 1000 inhabitants in 2014
Trucks' share of U.S. vehicles produced, has tripled since 1975. Though vehicle fuel efficiency has increased within each category, the overall trend toward less efficient types of vehicles has offset some of the benefits of greater fuel economy and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.[10] Without the shift towards SUVs, energy use per unit distance could have fallen 30% more than it did from 2010 to 2022.[11]
The U.S. publisher Ward's estimates that as of 2010, there were 1.015 billion motor vehicles in use in the world. This figure represents the number of cars, trucks (light, medium and heavy duty), and buses, but does not include off-road vehicles or heavy construction equipment. The world vehicle population passed the 500 million-unit mark in 1986, from 250 million motor vehicles in 1970. Between 1950 and 1970, the vehicle population doubled roughly every 10 years.[3][4][5]Navigant Consulting forecasts that the global stock of light-duty motor vehicles will reach 2billion units in 2035.[12]
Global vehicle ownership in 2010 was 148 vehicles in operation per 1,000 people, a ratio of 1:6.75 vehicles to people, slightly down from 150 vehicles per 1,000 people in 2009, a rate of 1:6.63 vehicles to people.[5] The global rate of motorization increased in 2013 to 174 vehicles per 1000 people.[13] In developing countries vehicle ownership rates rarely exceed 200 cars per 1,000 population.[14]
The following table summarizes the evolution of motor vehicle registrations in the world from 1960 to 2019:
Note (1) Car registrations do not include U.S. light trucks (SUVs, minivan and pickups) that are used for personal travel. The US accounts these vehicles among trucks.
Since the early 2000s, the number of alternative fuel vehicles has been increasing driven by the interest of several governments to promote their widespread adoption through public subsidies and other non-financial incentives. Governments have adopted these policies due to a combination of factors, such as environmental concerns, high oil prices, and less dependence on imported oil.[3][21][22]
Since the late 2000s, China, European countries, the United States, Canada, Japan and other developed countries have been providing strong financial incentives to promote the adoption of plug-in electric vehicle. As of 2020[update], the stock of light-duty plug-in vehicles in use totaled over 10million units.[23][24]As of 2019[update], in addition, the medium and heavy commercial segments add another 700,000 units to the global stock of plug-in electric vehicles.[24] In 2020 the global market share of plug-in passenger car sales was 4.2%, up from 2.5% in 2019.[23] Nevertheless, despite government support and the rapid growth experienced, the plug-in electric car segment represented just about 1 out of every 250 vehicles (0.4%) on the world's roads by the end of 2018.[25]
China
The People's Republic of China became the world's largest new car market in 2009.
The People's Republic of China had 322 million motor vehicles in use at the end of September 2018, of which, 235 million were passenger cars in 2018, making China the country with largest motor vehicle fleet in the world.[7] In 2016, the motor vehicle fleet consisted of 165.6 million cars and 28.4 million trucks and buses.[1] About 13.6million vehicles were sold in 2009, and motor vehicle registrations in 2010 increased to more than 16.8million units, representing nearly half the world's fleet increase in 2010.[4][5] Ownership per capita rose from 26.6 vehicles per 1000 people in 2006 to 141.2 in 2016.[1]
The stock of highway-legal plug-in electric or new energy vehicles in China totaled 2.21 million units by the end of September 2018, of which, 81% are all-electric vehicles. These figures include heavy-duty commercial vehicles such buses and sanitation trucks, which represent about 11% of the total stock.[26] China is also the world's largest electric bus market, reaching about 385,000 units by the end of 2017.[27][28]
The number of cars and motorcycles in China increased 20 times between 2000 and 2010.[29] This explosive growth has allowed China to become the world's largest new car market, overtaking the US in 2009.[4][8] Nevertheless, ownership per capita is 58 vehicles per 1000 people, or a ratio of 1:17.2 vehicles to people, still well below the rate of motorization of developed countries.[5]
United States
Historical evolution of vehicle ownership rates in the U.S. (Selected years 1900–2016)[1]
Year
Veh. per 1000 people
Year
Veh. per 1000 people
Year
Veh. per 1000 people
1900
0.11
1940
245.63
1990
773.4
1905
0.94
1945
221.80
2000
800.3
1910
5.07
1950
323.71
2005
837.3
1920
86.78
1960
410.37
2010
808.4
1930
217.34
1970
545.35
2015
821.5
1935
208.6
1980
710.71
2016
831.9
The United States has the second-largest fleet of motor vehicles in the world after China. As of 2016[update], had a motor vehicles stock of 259.14 million, of which, 246 million were light duty vehicles, consisting of 112.96 million passenger cars and 133 million light trucks (includes SUVs). A total of 11.5 million heavy trucks were registered at the end 2016[1] Vehicle ownership per capita in the U.S. is also the highest in the world, the U.S. Department of Energy (USDoE) reports a motorization rate of 831.9 vehicles in operation per 1000 people in 2016, or a ratio of 1:1.2 vehicles to people.[1]
According to USDoE, the rate of motorization peaked in 2007 at 844.5 vehicles per 1,000 people.[1] In terms of licensed drivers, as of 2009 the country had 1.0 vehicle for every licensed driver, and 1.87 vehicles per household.[30] Passenger car registrations in the United States declined -11.5% in 2017 and -12.8% in 2018.[31]
As of 2017[update], the country's fleet also includes more than 160,000 natural gas vehicles, mainly transit buses and delivery fleets.[37] Despite its relative small size, natural gas use accounted for about 52% of all alternative fuels consumed by alternative transportation fuel vehicles in the U.S. in 2009.[38]
In the U.S., a motor vehicle is specifically defined as a contrivance used for commercial purposes. As defined in US Code 18 U.S.C. § 31: US Code - Section 31: Definitions (6) Motor vehicle. - The term "motor vehicle" means every description of carriage or other contrivance propelled or drawn by mechanical power and used for commercial purposes on the highways in the transportation of passengers, passengers and property, or property or cargo.
Europe
Historical evolution of the Norwegian plug-in electric car segment market share of new car sales and monthly records between 2011 and 2023. Sources: Norwegian Road Federation (OFV) and Norsk Elbilforening (Norwegian EV Association)
The 27 European Union (EU-27) member countries had a fleet of over 256 million in 2008, and passenger cars accounted for 87% of the union's fleet. The five largest markets, Germany (17.7%), Italy (15.4%), France (13.3%), the UK (12.5%), and Spain (9.5%), accounted for 68% of the region's total registered fleet in 2008.[39][40] The EU-27 member countries had in 2009 an estimated ownership rate of 473 passenger cars per 1000 people.[41]
According to Ward's, Italy had the second highest (after the U.S.) vehicle ownership per capita in 2010, with 690 vehicles per 1000 people.[5] Germany had a rate of motorization of 534 vehicles per 1000 people and the UK of 525 vehicles per 1000 people, both in 2008. France had a rate of 575 vehicles per 1000 people and Spain 608 vehicles per 1000 people in 2007.[42] Portugal, between 1991 and 2002 grew up 220% on its motorization rate, having had in 2002, 560 cars per 1000 people.[43]
Italy also leads in alternative fuel vehicles, with a fleet of 779,090 natural gas vehicles as of June2012[update], the largest NGV fleet in Europe.[44] Sweden, with 225,000 flexible-fuel vehicles, has the largest flexifuel fleet in Europe by mid-2011.[45]
Norway is the leading plug-in market in Europe with almost 500,000 units registered as of December2020[update].[50] In October 2018, Norway became the world's first country where 10% of all passenger cars on the road are plug-in electrics.[51][52] Also, the Norwegian plug-in car segment market share has been the highest in the world for several years, achieving 39.2% in 2017, 49.1% in 2018, and 74.7% in 2020.[53][54][55]
Japan
Japan had 73.9 million vehicles by 2010, and had the world's second largest motor vehicle fleet until 2009.[5]As of 2016[update], the registered motor vehicle fleet totaled 75.81 million vehicles consisting of 61,40 million cars and 14,41 million trucks and buses.[1] Japan has the largest hybrid electric vehicle fleet in the world.[34]As of March2018[update], there were 7.51 million hybrids registered in the country, excluding kei cars, and representing 19.0% of all passenger cars on the road.[56]
Brazil
Historical trend of Brazilian production of light-duty vehicles by type of fuel: neat ethanol, flex fuel, and gasoline from 1979 to 2017.
The Brazilian vehicle fleet reached 64.8 million vehicles in 2010, up from 29.5 million units in 2000, representing a 119% growth in ten years, and reaching a motorization rate of 340 vehicles per 1000 people.[58] In 2010 Brazil experienced the second largest fleet increase in the world after China, with 2.5 million vehicle registrations.[5]
As of 2018[update], Brazil has the largest alternative fuel vehicle fleet in the world with about 40 million alternative fuel motor vehicles in the road. The clean vehicle stock includes 30.5 million flexible-fuel cars and light utility vehicles and over 6 million flex-fuel motorcycles by March 2018;[59] between 2.4 and 3.0 million neat ethanol vehicles still in use,[60][61] out of 5.7 million ethanol only light-vehicles produced since 1979;[62] and, as of December2012[update], a total of 1.69 million natural gas vehicles.[44]
In addition, all the Brazilian gasoline-powered fleet is designed to operate with high ethanol blends, up to 25% ethanol fuel (E25).[63][64][65] The market share of flex fuel vehicles reached 88.6% of all light-duty vehicles registered in 2017.[59]
India
India's vehicle fleet had the second-largest growth rate after China in 2010, with 8.9%. The fleet went from 19.1 million in 2009 to 20.8 million units in 2010.[5] India's vehicle fleet has increased to 210 million in March 2015.[66] India has a fleet of 1.1 million natural gas vehicles as of December2011[update] .[44]
Australia
As of January 2011, the Australian motor vehicle fleet had 16.4 million registered vehicles, with an ownership rate of 730 motor vehicles per 1000 people, up from 696 vehicles per 1000 residents in 2006. The motor vehicle fleet grew 14.5% since 2006, for an annual rate of 2.7% during this five-year period.[67]
In 2017, a total of 97.3 million cars and commercial vehicles were built worldwide, led by China, with about 29 million motor vehicles manufactured, followed by the United States with 11.2 million, and Japan with 9.7 million.[69] The following table shows the top 15 manufacturing countries for 2017 and their corresponding annual production between 2004 and 2017.
Annual motor vehicle production by country Top 15 countries 2017[69]
A hybrid vehicle is one that uses two or more distinct types of power, such as submarines that use diesel when surfaced and batteries when submerged. Other means to store energy include pressurized fluid in hydraulic hybrids.
A Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) is a U.S. category for battery electric vehicles that are usually built to have a top speed of 25 miles per hour (40 km/h), and have a maximum loaded weight of 3,000 lb (1,400 kg). Depending on the particular laws of the state, they are legally limited to roads with posted speed limits of 35 miles per hour (56 km/h) or less. NEVs fall under the United States Department of Transportation classification for low-speed vehicles. The non-electric version of the neighborhood electric vehicle is the motorized quadricycle.
Crude electric carriages were first invented in the late 1820s and 1830s. Practical, commercially available electric vehicles appeared during the 1890s. An electric vehicle held the vehicular land speed record until around 1900. In the early 20th century, the high cost, low top speed, and short-range of battery electric vehicles, compared to internal combustion engine vehicles, led to a worldwide decline in their use as private motor vehicles. Electric vehicles have continued to be used for loading and freight equipment and for public transport – especially rail vehicles.
A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is a type of hybrid electric vehicle equipped with a rechargeable battery pack that can be replenished by connecting a charging cable into an external electric power source, in addition to internally by its on-board internal combustion engine-powered generator. While PHEVs are predominantly passenger cars, there are also plug-in hybrid variants of sports cars, commercial vehicles, vans, utility trucks, buses, trains, motorcycles, mopeds, military vehicles and boats.
A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is a type of hybrid vehicle that combines a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) system with an electric propulsion system. The presence of the electric powertrain is intended to achieve either better fuel economy than a conventional vehicle or better performance. There is a variety of HEV types and the degree to which each functions as an electric vehicle (EV) also varies. The most common form of HEV is the hybrid electric car, although hybrid electric trucks, buses, boats, and aircraft also exist.
An alternative fuel vehicle is a motor vehicle that runs on alternative fuel rather than traditional petroleum fuels. The term also refers to any technology powering an engine that does not solely involve petroleum. Because of a combination of factors, such as environmental and health concerns including climate change and air pollution, high oil-prices and the potential for peak oil, development of cleaner alternative fuels and advanced power systems for vehicles has become a high priority for many governments and vehicle manufacturers around the world.
The automotive industry in Mainland China has been the largest in the world measured by automobile unit production since 2008. As of 2024, China is also the world's largest automobile market both in terms of sales and ownership.
An electric car or electric vehicle (EV) is a passenger automobile that is propelled by an electric traction motor, using only energy stored in on-board batteries. Compared to conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, electric cars are quieter, more responsive, have superior energy conversion efficiency and no exhaust emissions and lower overall vehicle emissions. The term "electric car" normally refers to plug-in electric vehicle, typically a battery electric vehicle (BEV), but broadly may also include plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), range-extended electric vehicle (REEV) and fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV).
A battery electric vehicle (BEV), pure electric vehicle, only-electric vehicle, fully electric vehicle or all-electric vehicle is a type of electric vehicle (EV) that exclusively uses chemical energy stored in rechargeable battery packs, with no secondary source of propulsion. BEVs use electric motors and motor controllers instead of internal combustion engines (ICEs) for propulsion. They derive all power from battery packs and thus have no internal combustion engine, fuel cell, or fuel tank. BEVs include – but are not limited to – motorcycles, bicycles, scooters, skateboards, railcars, watercraft, forklifts, buses, trucks, and cars.
A plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) is any road vehicle that can utilize an external source of electricity to store electrical energy within its onboard rechargeable battery packs, to power an electric motor and help propelling the wheels. PEV is a subset of electric vehicles, and includes all-electric/battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Sales of the first series production plug-in electric vehicles began in December 2008 with the introduction of the plug-in hybrid BYD F3DM, and then with the all-electric Mitsubishi i-MiEV in July 2009, but global retail sales only gained traction after the introduction of the mass production all-electric Nissan Leaf and the plug-in hybrid Chevrolet Volt in December 2010.
The adoption of plug-in electric vehicles in the United States is supported by the American federal government, and several states and local governments.
The fleet of hybrid electric vehicles in the United States, with 8.5 million units sold through December 2023, is the second largest in the world after Japan. American sales of hybrid electric vehicles represented about 36% of the global stock of hybrids sold worldwide through April 2016.
Electric car use by country varies worldwide, as the adoption of plug-in electric vehicles is affected by consumer demand, market prices, availability of charging infrastructure, and government policies, such as purchase incentives and long term regulatory signals.
Government incentives for plug-in electric vehicles have been established around the world to support policy-driven adoption of plug-in electric vehicles. These incentives mainly take the form of purchase rebates, tax exemptions and tax credits, and additional perks that range from access to bus lanes to waivers on fees. The amount of the financial incentives may depend on vehicle battery size or all-electric range. Often hybrid electric vehicles are included. Some countries extend the benefits to fuel cell vehicles, and electric vehicle conversions.
The adoption of plug-in electric vehicles in the Netherlands is actively supported by the Dutch government through the exemption of the registration fee and road taxes. These purchase incentives have been adjusted over time. Considering the potential of plug-in electric vehicles in the country due to its relative small size and geography, the Dutch government set a target of 15,000 to 20,000 electric vehicles with three or more wheels on the roads in 2015; 200,000 vehicles in 2020; and 1 million vehicles in 2025. The first two targets were achieved two years earlier than planned.
The fleet of light-duty plug-in electric vehicles in Japan totaled just over 300,000 highway legal plug-in electric vehicles in circulation at the end of 2020, consisting of 156,381 all-electric passenger cars, 136,700 plug-in hybrids, and 9,904 light-commercial vehicles.
In China, the term new energy vehicle (NEV) is used to designate automobiles that are fully or predominantly powered by electric energy, which include plug-in electric vehicles — battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) — and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV). The Chinese Government began implementation of its NEV program in 2009 to foster the development and introduction of new energy vehicles, and electric car buyers are eligible for public subsidies.
The adoption of plug-in electric vehicles in Germany is actively supported by the German Federal Government. Under its National Platform for Electric Mobility, Chancellor Angela Merkel set an initial goal in 2010 to deploy one million electric vehicles on German roads by 2020, which was achieved with a six months delay in July 2021. Initially, the government did not provide subsidies to promote sales of plug-in electric vehicles, however, by the end of 2014 it was recognized that the country was well behind the set sales targets. A purchase bonus scheme was approved in 2016, but premium cars were not eligible to the incentive. In order to meet the climate targets for the transport sector, in 2016 the government set the goal to have from 7 to 10 million plug-in electric cars on the road by 2030, and 1 million charging points deployed by 2030.
The adoption of plug-in electric vehicles in Sweden is actively supported by the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden. As of December 2021, a total of 355,737 light-duty plug-in electric vehicles have been registered since 2011, consisting of 226,731 plug-in hybrids, 120,343 all-electric cars, and 8,663 fully electric commercial vans.
The adoption of plug-in electric vehicles in Europe is actively supported by the European Union and several national, provincial, and local governments in Europe. A variety of policies have been established to provide direct financial support to consumers and manufacturers; non-monetary incentives; subsidies for the deployment of charging infrastructure; and long term regulations with specific targets. In particular, the EU regulation that set the mandatory targets for average fleet CO2 emissions for new cars has been effective in contributing to the successful uptake of plug-in cars in recent years
↑ Stacy C. Davis; Susan E. Williams & Robert G. Boundy (July 2016). "Transportation Energy Data Book: Edition 35"(PDF). Vehicle Technologies Office, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy. Retrieved 2017-08-24.See Tables 3.2 and 3.3 for 2010, 2012 and 2014 figures
1 2 Carrington, Damian (2021-01-19). "Global sales of electric cars accelerate fast in 2020 despite pandemic". The Guardian. Retrieved 2021-01-19. The EV-volumes.com data showed the five highest national sales were in China (1.3m), Germany (0.4m), the US (0.3m), France and the UK (both 0.2m).Global sales of plug-ins cars totaled 3 million in 2020, 43% up from 2018. The market share of plug-in vehicles reached 4.2% of the global market, up from 2.5% in 2019. Tesla was the best selling brand with almost 500,000 units delivered.
1 2 Irle, Roland (2020-02-03). "Global BEV & PHEV Sales for 2019". EV-volumes.com. Retrieved 2020-05-10.At the end of 2019 the global fleet of plug-ins was 7,5 million, counting light vehicles. Medium and heavy commercial vehicles add another 700 000 units to the global stock of plug-ins.
1 2 Automotive News China (2018-10-19). "China's electrified vehicle fleet tops 2.21 million". Automotive News China. Retrieved 2018-10-21. China's fleet of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids topped 2.21 million by the end of September as sales of electrified vehicles continued to surge in the country. Of the total, EVs accounted for 1.78 million, or nearly 81 percent. The rest were plug-in hybrids, China's Ministry of Public Security said this week. Electrified cargo vehicles — which include trucks, pickups and delivery vans — approached 254,000, representing 11 percent of the electrified vehicle fleet as of last month.
↑ "Motorisation rate". Eurostat. Retrieved 2011-08-22. Eurostat defines this indicator "as the number of passenger cars per 1 000 inhabitants. A passenger car is a road motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, intended for the carriage of passengers and designed to seat no more than nine persons (including the driver); the term "passenger car" therefore covers microcars (need no permit to be driven), taxis and hired passenger cars, provided that they have fewer than 10 seats; this category may also include pick-ups."
↑ BAFF. "Bought ethanol cars". BioAlcohol Fuel Foundation. Archived from the original on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2011-08-02.See Graph "Bought flexifuel vehicles"
↑ Jose, Pontes (2018-01-28). "Europe December 2017". EVSales.com. Retrieved 2018-02-25. "European sales totaled 306,143 plug-in cars in 2017."
↑ Norsk Elbilforening (Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association) (January 2019). "Norwegian EV market". Norsk Elbilforening. Retrieved 2019-01-10.Place the pointing device over the graph to show the cumulative number of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids in Norway at the end of each year. As of 31December2018[update], the registered light-duty plug-in electric stock totaled 296,214 units, consisting of 200,192 battery electric vehicles and 96,022 plug-in hybrids.
↑ Opplysningsrådet for Veitrafikken AS (OFV). "Bilsalget i 2017"[Car sales in 2017] (in Norwegian). OFV. Archived from the original on 2018-01-10. Retrieved 2018-01-11.
↑ Norwegian Road Federation (OFV) (2019-01-02). "Bilsalget i 2018"[Car sales in 2018] (in Norwegian). OFV. Archived from the original on 2019-02-07. Retrieved 2019-01-03.
↑ Goettemoeller, Jeffrey; Adrian Goettemoeller (2007). Sustainable Ethanol: Biofuels, Biorefineries, Cellulosic Biomass, Flex-Fuel Vehicles, and Sustainable Farming for Energy Independence. Prairie Oak Publishing, Maryville, Missouri. pp.56–61. ISBN978-0-9786293-0-4.
↑ "Portaria Nº 143, de 27 de Junho de 2007" (in Portuguese). Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento. Retrieved 2008-10-05. This decree fixed the mandatory blend at 25% starting July 1, 2007
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