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Argyll and Bute motoring statistics

How many cars and electric cars are registered in Argyll and Bute, which fuels they use, how many public chargers there are and how Argyll and Bute compares with Scotland. From DVLA licensing records, DfT charger statistics and ONS population estimates.

Last updated
Records analysed
58,568 licensed vehicles in Argyll and Bute
Methodology
View methodology
  • Licensed cars 43,370 +0.4% on a year earlier
  • Private cars per 1,000 people 471 UK 441
  • Battery electric cars 1,105 2.5% of cars (UK 5.4%)
  • Electric share of private cars 2.2% 84th lowest of 361 councils
  • Public chargers 347 396 per 100,000 people (UK 175)
  • Company-registered cars 4.7% UK 9.9%

How many cars are there in Argyll and Bute?

There were 43,370 licensed cars in Argyll and Bute at the end of March 2026, and 58,568 licensed vehicles of all kinds. That is 5.9% more cars than in 2010. Privately kept cars work out at 471 for every 1,000 residents, 155th lowest of 361 councils (UK 441).

Licensed vehicles in Argyll and Bute

Counts at the end of March each year, 2010 to 2026.

Licensed cars and vehicles in Argyll and Bute at the end of March each year
Year All vehiclesCars
2010 51,28940,941
2011 51,41240,950
2012 51,58540,956
2013 51,77841,085
2014 52,09741,319
2015 52,36541,417
2016 53,18241,890
2017 53,99442,419
2018 54,43242,347
2019 54,85042,471
2020 55,17142,735
2021 55,68742,550
2022 56,52742,716
2023 56,76142,659
2024 57,46843,053
2025 58,03543,212
2026 58,56843,370

Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated

Licensed vehicles by type

Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated

Cars per 1,000 residents

All licensed cars at the end of June, divided by the ONS mid-year population. Company fleets registered locally push this up.

Cars per 1,000 residents at mid-year, Argyll and Bute compared
Year Argyll and ButeScotlandUnited Kingdom
2011 464429–
2012 471430–
2013 467436–
2014 472443–
2015 474446473
2016 477450480
2017 485457488
2018 486461490
2019 489465493
2020 484462489
2021 490469493
2022 488466489
2023 488465489
2024 495468490

Source:ONS Mid-2024 Updated

Petrol, diesel and electric cars in Argyll and Bute

53.1% of cars in Argyll and Bute run on petrol and 33.4% on diesel. Diesel’s share peaked at 45.5% in 2019. Hybrids that do not plug in make up 8.7%, and cars that plug in 4.3%.

Cars by fuel type

Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated

Fuel mix over time

Share of licensed cars at the end of March each year.

Share of licensed cars by fuel type in Argyll and Bute, end of March each year
Year PetrolDieselHybridBattery electricPlug-in hybrid
2010 67.6%32.1%0.1%0.0%0.0%
2011 65.7%33.9%0.2%0.0%0.0%
2012 63.9%35.8%0.2%0.0%0.0%
2013 62.1%37.5%0.3%0.0%0.0%
2014 59.9%39.6%0.3%0.0%0.0%
2015 58.1%41.4%0.4%0.0%0.0%
2016 56.5%42.8%0.5%0.1%0.1%
2017 54.8%44.3%0.6%0.1%0.1%
2018 53.5%45.4%0.8%0.1%0.2%
2019 52.9%45.5%1.1%0.2%0.2%
2020 52.9%45.1%1.4%0.3%0.2%
2021 53.0%44.1%2.0%0.4%0.4%
2022 53.0%42.8%2.8%0.7%0.5%
2023 53.1%41.3%3.6%1.0%0.7%
2024 53.1%39.4%4.8%1.4%0.8%
2025 53.4%36.3%6.7%2.0%1.2%
2026 53.1%33.4%8.7%2.5%1.8%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated

Electric cars in Argyll and Bute

1,105 battery electric cars were licensed in Argyll and Bute at the end of March 2026, 2.5% of all cars, 44th lowest of 361 councils. With plug-in hybrids, 1,865 cars plug in. A year earlier there were 843.

Of the privately kept cars, which are registered at home addresses, 2.2% are battery electric (908 cars), 7th lowest of 32 councils in Scotland. Companies keep 17.8% of the area’s battery electric cars, against 4.7% of its cars overall. There are also 89 battery electric vans.

Battery electric share of licensed cars

End of March each year. Fleet re-registrations can move a single area’s line sharply.

Battery electric share of licensed cars, Argyll and Bute compared, end of March each year
Year Argyll and ButeScotlandUnited Kingdom
2016 0.1%0.1%0.1%
2017 0.1%0.1%0.1%
2018 0.1%0.1%0.1%
2019 0.2%0.2%0.2%
2020 0.3%0.3%0.3%
2021 0.4%0.6%0.7%
2022 0.7%1.1%1.3%
2023 1.0%1.7%2.1%
2024 1.4%2.3%3.0%
2025 2.0%3.2%4.1%
2026 2.5%4.2%5.4%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated

Public EV chargers in Argyll and Bute

There were 347 public chargers in Argyll and Bute on 1 July 2026, 56 of them rapid or ultra-rapid (50kW and above). That is 396 for every 100,000 residents, 20th highest of 361 councils, against 175 across the UK. The count rose 6.8% from 1 January 2026.

For every public charger there are 4.9 privately kept plug-in cars in Argyll and Bute (UK 11.9), 28th fewest of 361 councils. A higher number means more competition for each public charger, though many drivers charge at home.

Public chargers

Public EV chargers in Argyll and Bute by date
Date All public chargers50kW and above
Jan 2026 32559
Apr 2026 32758
Jul 2026 34756

Source:DfT 1 July 2026 Updated

Chargers per 100,000 residents

Public chargers per 100,000 residents, Argyll and Bute compared
Area All chargers50kW and above
Argyll and Bute 39664
Scotland 23259
UK 17542

Source:DfT 1 July 2026 Updated

Road traffic and collisions in Argyll and Bute

Vehicles travelled an estimated 614 million miles on roads in Argyll and Bute in 2025.

Traffic on all roads

Million vehicle miles a year on roads in Argyll and Bute
Year Million vehicle miles
1993 447
1994 461
1995 473
1996 487
1997 496
1998 496
1999 503
2000 491
2001 494
2002 534
2003 538
2004 539
2005 554
2006 559
2007 558
2008 554
2009 552
2010 545
2011 542
2012 538
2013 544
2014 560
2015 575
2016 595
2017 616
2018 607
2019 608
2020 451
2021 533
2022 587
2023 596
2024 603
2025 614

Source:DfT 1993 to 2025 Updated

Reported injury collisions

Police-reported injury collisions in Argyll and Bute, 2021 to 2025
Year CollisionsKilled or seriously injured
2021 9346
2022 7841
2023 10561
2024 9751
2025 8241

Source:DfT STATS19,UK Motoring analysis 2021 to 2025 Updated

More road safety figures

Petrol and diesel prices in Argyll and Bute

Unleaded petrol averages 173.5p a litre across 31 filling stations in Argyll and Bute, 1.8p above the UK average. Diesel averages 197.1p, 2.5p above the UK average. Prices checked 16 Sept, 16:47.

Cheapest petrol

  1. Gleaner Balaclava Garage Dunoon 164.9p
  2. Jet Cot House Services Dunoon 165.9p
  3. Highland Ledaig Motors Ltd Oban 167.9p

Every filling station and price in Argyll and Bute

Roadworks in Argyll and Bute

The Scottish Road Works Register lists 441 sets of roadworks in Argyll and Bute, of which 127 are under way and 314 are planned. 80 of them close a road, a lane, a slip road or the hard shoulder. BT is behind the most, 229 of them (51.9%). From the extract of 16 September 2026.

Works most likely to hold you up

  • Ardencraig Road, Rothesay

    Road closed Under way, until 7 Nov 2027 Argyll & Bute Council

    Traffic management for urgent road closure due to retaiming wall collappse and further subsidence on the carriageway

  • Glengorm Road

    Road closed Under way, until 22 Sept 2026 BT

    Access to Underground structure - cabling to restore customer service fault reference WS2UQD88

  • A846 West Of Port Askaig From The Cottage To Keills Schoolhouse

    Lane closed Under way, until 18 Oct 2026 Scottish Hydro Electric Power Dis

    Install new 11KV cable from Port Askaig S/S to conect new Ferry terminal

  • Upper Sutherland Crescent, Helensburgh

    Road closed Under way, until 17 Nov 2026 SGN

    Govner maintenance works

  • Gillespie Drive, Helensburgh

    Road closed Under way, until 24 Sept 2026 SP Energy Networks

    Excavation installation and reinstatement for new electric service

  • B8000 South Of Kilfinan From North Lodge To Auchoirk Farm

    Road closed Under way, until 14 Sept 2026 BT

    Pole Replacement

  • Dennistoun Crescent, Helensburgh

    Road closed Under way, until 27 Sept 2026 SP Energy Networks

    Excavation installation and reinstatement for new electric service

  • Dhailling Road, Dunoon

    Road closed Under way, until 17 Sept 2026 BT

    Blockage

  • A817 Glen Fruin Haul Road From A82t To Viewpoint, Arden

    Road closed Under way, until 24 Sept 2026 Argyll & Bute Council

    Resurfacing works

  • West King Street, Helensburgh

    Road closed Under way, until 17 Sept 2026 Argyll & Bute Council

    Carriageway resurfacing

Who is digging

  • BT 229
  • Argyll & Bute Council 105
  • SGN 62
  • Scottish Water 22
  • Scottish Hydro Electric Power Dis 11

How traffic is managed

  • Give and take 164
  • Stop and go boards 89
  • Temporary traffic lights 80
  • Road closed 78
  • Footway only 10

The register publishes one extract a day, so works can start, finish or change after it is taken. Roadworks across Scotland.

Source:SRWR Extract of 2026-09-16 Updated

How Argyll and Bute compares

Argyll and Bute compared with Scotland, the UK
Argyll and Bute 471 2.5% 2.2% 4.7% 396 4.9
Scotland 436 4.2% 3.0% 7.8% 232 8.9
United Kingdom4415.4%2.8%9.9%17511.9

Private cars per 1,000 people use the ONS mid-2024 population. Chargers are counted at the latest date; plug-in cars at the end of March 2026.

Councils in Scotland

Sorted by battery electric share of cars. Select a column heading to sort by it.

Councils in Scotland
Stirling 468 13.9% 4.1% 32.1% 511 5.6
Renfrewshire 436 11.9% 3.2% 34.9% 243 9.1
East Renfrewshire 473 5.1% 4.5% 4.2% 82 40.4
East Dunbartonshire 481 4.7% 4.1% 4.0% 103 32.8
East Lothian 472 4.5% 4.0% 4.4% 600 5.0
Orkney Islands 490 4.4% 3.8% 5.0% 386 6.9
West Lothian 479 4.4% 3.8% 5.7% 137 22.2
Edinburgh 325 4.2% 3.3% 5.3% 192 8.6
South Lanarkshire 463 4.2% 3.5% 6.2% 182 14.0
Midlothian 461 4.1% 3.7% 5.1% 223 11.6
Perth and Kinross 506 4.0% 3.5% 5.1% 363 7.6
Dundee 371 3.9% 3.0% 6.7% 472 3.3
North Lanarkshire 434 3.6% 3.0% 7.2% 168 12.1
South Ayrshire 482 3.6% 3.0% 5.3% 205 10.5
Aberdeenshire 528 3.5% 3.0% 4.3% 162 17.8
Falkirk 493 3.5% 2.9% 5.4% 163 13.9
Fife 478 3.5% 3.0% 4.9% 132 17.2
Glasgow 307 3.4% 2.2% 9.7% 180 6.2
East Ayrshire 467 3.3% 2.8% 6.0% 229 9.1
North Ayrshire 457 3.2% 2.7% 5.9% 199 9.2
Aberdeen 396 3.1% 2.5% 4.5% 192 9.6
Clackmannanshire 492 3.1% 2.7% 4.9% 205 9.5
Angus 504 3.0% 2.6% 4.7% 221 9.7
Scottish Borders 506 3.0% 2.6% 4.8% 224 9.6
West Dunbartonshire 420 2.8% 2.3% 6.5% 204 7.7
Inverclyde 425 2.7% 2.3% 5.6% 237 6.8
Moray 501 2.6% 2.1% 4.5% 153 11.7
Argyll and Bute 471 2.5% 2.2% 4.7% 396 4.9
Highland 496 2.5% 2.0% 5.0% 387 4.4
Dumfries and Galloway 510 2.2% 1.8% 5.8% 549 2.9
Shetland Islands 471 1.9% 1.4% 9.1% 323 3.9
Na h-Eileanan Siar 500 1.5% 1.2% 4.1% 515 2.4

Data sources and methodology

Datasets used on this page
Figures Source Period Records Updated
Licensed vehicles Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport End of March 2026 58,568 licensed vehicles in Argyll and Bute 15 September 2026
Plug-in and electric vehicles Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport End of March 2026 1,997 plug-in vehicles 15 September 2026
Public chargers Electric vehicle public charging infrastructure statistics Department for Transport 1 July 2026 121,171 public chargers (UK) 15 September 2026
Population Mid-year population estimates Office for National Statistics Mid-2024 404 areas 15 September 2026
  • Coverage: licensing and charger figures cover the whole UK. Licensing figures in Argyll and Bute run from the end of 2009.
  • Vehicles are counted at the registered keeper’s postcode: for company cars that is the company’s address, not where the car is driven.
  • Battery electric and plug-in counts come from table VEH0142; petrol, diesel and hybrid counts from VEH0105. “Other fuels” is VEH0105’s other-fuel count less plug-in cars.
  • Charger counts are based on Zapmap data and are official statistics in development. In June 2026 one operator removed about 1,270 private chargers wrongly listed as public, so April and July are not strictly comparable.
How we calculate these figures All data sources

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.