The number of vehicles registered for use on UK roads has topped 40 million for the first time, according to Motorparc data released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
More than 35 million cars and five million commercial vehicles were licensed in 2019, up 1% on the previous year. The number of diesel cars on the road fell by 1%, while petrol models saw an increase of 1.2%.
There was a 26% year-on-year growth in the number of low, ultra-low and zero emission cars, to more than 750,000. But this segment still makes up just 2% of all vehicles.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said the figures highlight the "essential role" the UK's vehicle fleet plays in keeping vital goods and workers moving during the coronavirus pandemic.
It also illustrates that investment in cleaner, safer and more reliable vehicle technology is paying off as "demand for mobility grows", he claimed.
"To ensure this trend continues, we must get the right support for businesses and their workers in place now so that when this crisis is over, the sector can help get the whole country and our economy back on the move," he added.
