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Shetland Islands motoring statistics

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

Last updated
Records analysed
18,188 licensed vehicles in Shetland Islands
Methodology
View methodology
  • Licensed cars 12,010 +1.5% on a year earlier
  • Private cars per 1,000 people 471 UK 441
  • Battery electric cars 233 1.9% of cars (UK 5.4%)
  • Electric share of private cars 1.4% 12th lowest of 361 councils
  • Public chargers 75 323 per 100,000 people (UK 175)
  • Company-registered cars 9.1% UK 9.9%

How many cars are there in Shetland Islands?

There were 12,010 licensed cars in Shetland Islands at the end of March 2026, and 18,188 licensed vehicles of all kinds. That is 12.4% more cars than in 2010. Privately kept cars work out at 471 for every 1,000 residents, 152nd lowest of 361 councils (UK 441).

Licensed vehicles in Shetland Islands

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

Licensed cars and vehicles in Shetland Islands at the end of March each year
Year All vehiclesCars
2010 15,11610,686
2011 15,64110,975
2012 15,90011,131
2013 16,16211,262
2014 16,43611,431
2015 16,69211,569
2016 16,78211,714
2017 16,89411,782
2018 16,66411,534
2019 16,83611,623
2020 16,86511,591
2021 16,88411,463
2022 17,28011,599
2023 17,42211,648
2024 17,71311,790
2025 17,86411,830
2026 18,18812,010

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, Shetland Islands compared
Year Shetland IslandsScotlandUnited Kingdom
2011 479429–
2012 485430–
2013 494436–
2014 497443–
2015 500446473
2016 506450480
2017 511457488
2018 504461490
2019 512465493
2020 497462489
2021 508469493
2022 507466489
2023 506465489
2024 512468490

Source:ONS Mid-2024 Updated

Petrol, diesel and electric cars in Shetland Islands

51.4% of cars in Shetland Islands run on petrol and 31.1% on diesel. Diesel’s share peaked at 48.2% in 2016. Hybrids that do not plug in make up 13.9%, and cars that plug in 3.2%.

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 Shetland Islands, end of March each year
Year PetrolDieselHybridBattery electricPlug-in hybrid
2010 59.3%40.5%0.1%0.0%0.0%
2011 57.5%42.2%0.2%0.0%0.0%
2012 55.7%44.0%0.2%0.0%0.0%
2013 53.9%45.8%0.2%0.0%0.0%
2014 52.6%47.0%0.3%0.0%0.0%
2015 52.1%47.5%0.3%0.0%0.0%
2016 51.3%48.2%0.4%0.1%0.1%
2017 51.2%48.1%0.5%0.1%0.1%
2018 51.0%47.8%0.8%0.1%0.2%
2019 52.3%46.3%1.0%0.1%0.2%
2020 53.6%44.3%1.6%0.2%0.3%
2021 53.5%42.8%2.9%0.4%0.3%
2022 53.6%40.5%4.4%0.9%0.4%
2023 53.9%38.2%5.9%1.1%0.6%
2024 53.4%36.2%8.0%1.3%0.7%
2025 52.2%34.1%10.8%1.6%0.9%
2026 51.4%31.1%13.9%1.9%1.3%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated

Electric cars in Shetland Islands

233 battery electric cars were licensed in Shetland Islands at the end of March 2026, 1.9% of all cars, 8th lowest of 361 councils. With plug-in hybrids, 389 cars plug in. A year earlier there were 186.

Of the privately kept cars, which are registered at home addresses, 1.4% are battery electric (156 cars), 2nd lowest of 32 councils in Scotland. Companies keep 33.0% of the area’s battery electric cars, against 9.1% of its cars overall. There are also 44 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, Shetland Islands compared, end of March each year
Year Shetland IslandsScotlandUnited Kingdom
2016 0.1%0.1%0.1%
2017 0.1%0.1%0.1%
2018 0.1%0.1%0.1%
2019 0.1%0.2%0.2%
2020 0.2%0.3%0.3%
2021 0.4%0.6%0.7%
2022 0.9%1.1%1.3%
2023 1.1%1.7%2.1%
2024 1.3%2.3%3.0%
2025 1.6%3.2%4.1%
2026 1.9%4.2%5.4%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated

Public EV chargers in Shetland Islands

There were 75 public chargers in Shetland Islands on 1 July 2026, 16 of them rapid or ultra-rapid (50kW and above). That is 323 for every 100,000 residents, 30th highest of 361 councils, against 175 across the UK. The count fell 2.6% from 1 January 2026.

For every public charger there are 3.9 privately kept plug-in cars in Shetland Islands (UK 11.9), 17th 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 Shetland Islands by date
Date All public chargers50kW and above
Jan 2026 7716
Apr 2026 7516
Jul 2026 7516

Source:DfT 1 July 2026 Updated

Chargers per 100,000 residents

Public chargers per 100,000 residents, Shetland Islands compared
Area All chargers50kW and above
Shetland Islands 32369
Scotland 23259
UK 17542

Source:DfT 1 July 2026 Updated

Road traffic and collisions in Shetland Islands

Vehicles travelled an estimated 148 million miles on roads in Shetland Islands in 2025.

Traffic on all roads

Million vehicle miles a year on roads in Shetland Islands
Year Million vehicle miles
1993 96
1994 99
1995 102
1996 104
1997 106
1998 107
1999 110
2000 110
2001 112
2002 118
2003 120
2004 120
2005 122
2006 127
2007 127
2008 127
2009 125
2010 128
2011 128
2012 128
2013 130
2014 135
2015 138
2016 144
2017 147
2018 144
2019 143
2020 115
2021 128
2022 137
2023 140
2024 146
2025 148

Source:DfT 1993 to 2025 Updated

Reported injury collisions

Police-reported injury collisions in Shetland Islands, 2021 to 2025
Year CollisionsKilled or seriously injured
2021 85
2022 64
2023 189
2024 125
2025 84

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

More road safety figures

Petrol and diesel prices in Shetland Islands

Unleaded petrol averages 171.6p a litre across 8 filling stations in Shetland Islands, 0.1p below the UK average. Diesel averages 199.4p, 4.8p above the UK average. Prices checked 16 Sept, 16:47.

Cheapest petrol

  1. Hillswick Shop Ltd Shetland 165.8p
  2. Ollaberry Community Enterprises Limited Shetland 165.9p
  3. Bolts Car Hire Ltd Lerwick Lerwick 171.8p

Every filling station and price in Shetland Islands

Roadworks in Shetland Islands

The Scottish Road Works Register lists 49 sets of roadworks in Shetland Islands, of which 12 are under way and 37 are planned. 2 of them close a road, a lane, a slip road or the hard shoulder. Shetland Islands Council is behind the most, 31 of them (63.3%). From the extract of 16 September 2026.

Works most likely to hold you up

  • New Street, Scalloway

    Road closed 28 Sept 2026 to 8 Oct 2026 Shetland Islands Council

    Resurfacing works

  • Staneyhill, Lerwick

    Road closed 27 Oct 2026 to 23 Nov 2026 Shetland Islands Council

    Drainage connection for Staney Hill Housing Scheme

  • C210 From Sandwick Crossroads To North Sandwick (Derestriction Sign), Setter

    Temporary traffic lights Under way, until 31 Jan 2027 Shetland Islands Council

    REmote Cycle Path

  • A968 From Dales Lees Cattle Grid To Hill Of Swinister

    Temporary traffic lights Under way, until 12 Nov 2026 Scottish Hydro Electric Power Dis

    Refer to SHEPD Drawing: LJ220085.03.SO

  • A970 From Sandwater Jcn B9075 To Petta Water, North Nesting

    Temporary traffic lights Under way, until 3 Oct 2026 Scottish Hydro Electric Power Dis

    Undertake HDD drilling from Entry Pit on A970 to Exit Pit on A970.

  • A968 From Hill Of Swinister To Sullom Voe Jcn B9076, Mossbank

    Temporary traffic lights Under way, until 27 Jan 2027 Scottish Hydro Electric Power Dis

    Refer to SHEPD Drawing: LJ220085.03.SO

  • U633 From Northdale Junction To Saxa Vord Cattle Grid, Haroldswick

    Temporary traffic lights Under way, until 9 Nov 2026 Shetland Islands Council

    Install a cable

  • A970 From Brig O' Fitch To Windy Grind, Tingwall

    Temporary traffic lights Under way, until 3 Feb 2027 Scottish Hydro Electric Power Dis

    Refer to SHEPD Drawing: LJ220085.03.SO

  • A970 From Ladies Drive Jcn To Brig O' Fitch, Frakkafield

    Temporary traffic lights Under way, until 5 Oct 2026 Shetland Islands Council

    Resurfacing works

  • A970 From Blackhill 40mph Sign To Ladies Drive Jcn, Lerwick

    Temporary traffic lights Under way, until 5 Oct 2026 Shetland Islands Council

    Resurfacing works

Who is digging

  • Shetland Islands Council 31
  • Scottish Hydro Electric Power Dis 10
  • BT 8

How traffic is managed

  • Temporary traffic lights 23
  • Give and take 17
  • Priority system 4
  • Stop and go boards 3
  • Road closed 2

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 Shetland Islands compares

Shetland Islands compared with Scotland, the UK
Shetland Islands 471 1.9% 1.4% 9.1% 323 3.9
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 18,188 licensed vehicles in Shetland Islands 15 September 2026
Plug-in and electric vehicles Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport End of March 2026 441 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 Shetland Islands 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.