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Renfrewshire motoring statistics

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

Last updated
Records analysed
150,632 licensed vehicles in Renfrewshire
Methodology
View methodology
  • Licensed cars 126,879 +0.5% on a year earlier
  • Private cars per 1,000 people 436 UK 441
  • Battery electric cars 15,091 11.9% of cars (UK 5.4%)
  • Electric share of private cars 3.2% 105th highest of 361 councils
  • Public chargers 459 243 per 100,000 people (UK 175)
  • Company-registered cars 34.9% UK 9.9%

Company fleets. 34.9% of cars registered in Renfrewshire have a company as their keeper, against 9.9% across the UK. DVLA counts company cars at the company’s registered address, so leasing and rental fleets land where those firms are based and move when they move. The figures for privately kept cars are the better guide to local drivers.

How many cars are there in Renfrewshire?

There were 126,879 licensed cars in Renfrewshire at the end of March 2026, and 150,632 licensed vehicles of all kinds. That is 76.5% more cars than in 2010. Privately kept cars work out at 436 for every 1,000 residents, 101st lowest of 361 councils (UK 441).

Licensed vehicles in Renfrewshire

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

Licensed cars and vehicles in Renfrewshire at the end of March each year
Year All vehiclesCars
2010 82,19571,881
2011 82,57472,334
2012 82,64372,613
2013 83,52773,436
2014 84,60774,290
2015 85,92575,525
2016 87,95176,985
2017 134,481114,593
2018 135,368115,185
2019 142,764121,543
2020 146,315125,976
2021 143,139123,121
2022 144,978123,165
2023 150,327127,384
2024 150,537126,499
2025 150,102126,275
2026 150,632126,879

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, Renfrewshire compared
Year RenfrewshireScotlandUnited Kingdom
2011 416429–
2012 416430–
2013 422436–
2014 426443–
2015 432446473
2016 642450480
2017 648457488
2018 652461490
2019 687465493
2020 667462489
2021 679469493
2022 673466489
2023 686465489
2024 667468490

Source:ONS Mid-2024 Updated

Petrol, diesel and electric cars in Renfrewshire

50.2% of cars in Renfrewshire run on petrol and 18.9% on diesel. Diesel’s share peaked at 48.1% in 2017. Hybrids that do not plug in make up 11.4%, and cars that plug in 19.0%.

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 Renfrewshire, end of March each year
Year PetrolDieselHybridBattery electricPlug-in hybrid
2010 77.4%22.4%0.1%0.0%0.0%
2011 75.5%24.3%0.2%0.0%0.0%
2012 73.5%26.1%0.2%0.0%0.0%
2013 71.6%28.0%0.3%0.0%0.0%
2014 69.4%30.2%0.3%0.0%0.0%
2015 67.1%32.4%0.3%0.0%0.0%
2016 64.8%34.6%0.4%0.1%0.0%
2017 50.3%48.1%0.9%0.1%0.4%
2018 50.6%46.8%1.4%0.2%0.9%
2019 53.3%42.5%2.2%0.3%1.6%
2020 55.1%38.9%3.1%0.7%2.1%
2021 55.4%33.9%4.0%3.3%3.2%
2022 54.7%30.6%5.9%4.6%3.8%
2023 53.8%26.7%7.6%7.0%4.4%
2024 54.1%24.5%8.6%7.4%4.9%
2025 52.6%21.6%10.3%9.1%5.7%
2026 50.2%18.9%11.4%11.9%7.1%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated

Electric cars in Renfrewshire

15,091 battery electric cars were licensed in Renfrewshire at the end of March 2026, 11.9% of all cars, 13th highest of 361 councils. With plug-in hybrids, 24,156 cars plug in. A year earlier there were 11,463.

Of the privately kept cars, which are registered at home addresses, 3.2% are battery electric (2,632 cars), 11th highest of 32 councils in Scotland. Companies keep 82.6% of the area’s battery electric cars, against 34.9% of its cars overall. There are also 738 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, Renfrewshire compared, end of March each year
Year RenfrewshireScotlandUnited Kingdom
2016 0.1%0.1%0.1%
2017 0.1%0.1%0.1%
2018 0.2%0.1%0.1%
2019 0.3%0.2%0.2%
2020 0.7%0.3%0.3%
2021 3.3%0.6%0.7%
2022 4.6%1.1%1.3%
2023 7.0%1.7%2.1%
2024 7.4%2.3%3.0%
2025 9.1%3.2%4.1%
2026 11.9%4.2%5.4%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated

Public EV chargers in Renfrewshire

There were 459 public chargers in Renfrewshire on 1 July 2026, 141 of them rapid or ultra-rapid (50kW and above). That is 243 for every 100,000 residents, 55th highest of 361 councils, against 175 across the UK. The count rose 4.6% from 1 January 2026.

For every public charger there are 9.1 privately kept plug-in cars in Renfrewshire (UK 11.9), 78th 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 Renfrewshire by date
Date All public chargers50kW and above
Jan 2026 439134
Apr 2026 460140
Jul 2026 459141

Source:DfT 1 July 2026 Updated

Chargers per 100,000 residents

Public chargers per 100,000 residents, Renfrewshire compared
Area All chargers50kW and above
Renfrewshire 24375
Scotland 23259
UK 17542

Source:DfT 1 July 2026 Updated

Road traffic and collisions in Renfrewshire

Vehicles travelled an estimated 1,034 million miles on roads in Renfrewshire in 2025.

Traffic on all roads

Million vehicle miles a year on roads in Renfrewshire
Year Million vehicle miles
1993 729
1994 742
1995 758
1996 784
1997 804
1998 824
1999 835
2000 800
2001 816
2002 835
2003 863
2004 875
2005 892
2006 909
2007 914
2008 923
2009 905
2010 893
2011 896
2012 890
2013 899
2014 932
2015 954
2016 978
2017 983
2018 1,011
2019 1,013
2020 787
2021 908
2022 1,000
2023 1,004
2024 1,028
2025 1,034

Source:DfT 1993 to 2025 Updated

Reported injury collisions

Police-reported injury collisions in Renfrewshire, 2021 to 2025
Year CollisionsKilled or seriously injured
2021 10640
2022 12050
2023 11153
2024 13767
2025 12663

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

More road safety figures

Petrol and diesel prices in Renfrewshire

Unleaded petrol averages 170.1p a litre across 17 filling stations in Renfrewshire, 1.6p below the UK average. Diesel averages 193.7p, 0.9p below the UK average. Prices checked 16 Sept, 16:47.

Cheapest petrol

  1. MFG Morrisons Paisley Anchor Mills Anchor Mills 166.9p
  2. Abbotsinch Service Station Jet Renfrew 167.9p
  3. MFG Morrisons Paisley Falside Road Renfrewshire 167.9p

Every filling station and price in Renfrewshire

Roadworks in Renfrewshire

The Scottish Road Works Register lists 475 sets of roadworks in Renfrewshire, of which 142 are under way and 333 are planned. 124 of them close a road, a lane, a slip road or the hard shoulder. Renfrewshire Council is behind the most, 122 of them (25.7%). From the extract of 16 September 2026.

Works most likely to hold you up

  • Renfrew Road, Paisley

    Lane closed Under way, until 1 Jun 2028 Renfrewshire Council

    Amids south

  • Abercorn Street, Paisley

    Lane closed Under way, until 1 Jun 2028 Renfrewshire Council

    Amids south

  • Harbour Road, Paisley

    Road closed Under way, until 1 Jun 2028 Renfrewshire Council

    Amids south

  • Highcraig Avenue, Johnstone

    Road closed Under way, until 8 Mar 2027 Renfrewshire Council

    Drainage Improvement

  • Craigview Avenue, Johnstone

    Road closed Under way, until 8 Mar 2027 Renfrewshire Council

    Drainage Improvement

  • Dundonald Avenue, Johnstone

    Road closed Under way, until 8 Mar 2027 Renfrewshire Council

    Drainage Improvement

  • Glenfield Road, Paisley

    Road closed Under way, until 28 Sept 2026 SGN

    Lay and aban mains (working under road closure and 2 way lights)

  • Maple Drive, Johnstone

    Road closed Under way, until 3 Oct 2026 Renfrewshire Council

    Drainage installation and road construction

  • Highcraig Avenue, Johnstone

    Road closed Under way, until 7 Mar 2027 Renfrewshire Council

    Drainage Improvement

  • Craigview Avenue, Johnstone

    Road closed Under way, until 7 Mar 2027 Renfrewshire Council

    Drainage Improvement

Who is digging

  • Renfrewshire Council 122
  • BT 98
  • SGN 91
  • SP Energy Networks 71
  • Scottish Water 36

How traffic is managed

  • Give and take 203
  • Road closed 105
  • Temporary traffic lights 89
  • Footway only 32
  • Lane closed 18

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 Renfrewshire compares

Renfrewshire compared with Scotland, the UK
Renfrewshire 436 11.9% 3.2% 34.9% 243 9.1
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 150,632 licensed vehicles in Renfrewshire 15 September 2026
Plug-in and electric vehicles Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport End of March 2026 25,014 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 Renfrewshire 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.