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South Lanarkshire motoring statistics

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

Last updated
Records analysed
195,477 licensed vehicles in South Lanarkshire
Methodology
View methodology
  • Licensed cars 165,723 +1.2% on a year earlier
  • Private cars per 1,000 people 465 UK 444
  • Battery electric cars 7,504 4.5% of cars (UK 5.8%)
  • Electric share of private cars 3.9% 61st highest of 361 councils
  • Public chargers 607 182 per 100,000 people (UK 175)
  • Company-registered cars 6.2% UK 10.0%

How many cars are there in South Lanarkshire?

There were 165,723 licensed cars in South Lanarkshire at the end of June 2026, and 195,477 licensed vehicles of all kinds. That is 21.3% more cars than in 2010. Privately kept cars work out at 465 for every 1,000 residents, 134th lowest of 361 councils (UK 444).

Licensed vehicles in South Lanarkshire

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

Licensed cars and vehicles in South Lanarkshire at the end of March each year
Year All vehiclesCars
2010 157,806136,611
2011 158,879137,405
2012 160,250138,535
2013 162,515140,236
2014 164,895142,423
2015 166,253143,727
2016 169,294146,028
2017 173,673149,243
2018 175,477150,836
2019 178,843153,823
2020 178,223153,707
2021 183,605156,409
2022 184,361156,384
2023 187,320158,601
2024 191,205161,801
2025 193,665163,790
2026 195,477165,723

Source:DfT / DVLA End of June 2026 Updated

Licensed vehicles by type

Source:DfT / DVLA End of June 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, South Lanarkshire compared
Year South LanarkshireScotlandUnited Kingdom
2011 438429–
2012 440430–
2013 444436–
2014 450443–
2015 452446473
2016 458450480
2017 466457488
2018 469461490
2019 476465493
2020 475462489
2021 481469493
2022 478466489
2023 479465489
2024 484468490

Source:ONS Mid-2024 Updated

Petrol, diesel and electric cars in South Lanarkshire

57.1% of cars in South Lanarkshire run on petrol and 25.3% on diesel. Diesel’s share peaked at 42.3% in 2018. Hybrids that do not plug in make up 10.2%, and cars that plug in 6.7%.

Cars by fuel type

Source:DfT / DVLA End of June 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 South Lanarkshire, end of March each year
Year PetrolDieselHybridBattery electricPlug-in hybrid
2010 72.0%27.8%0.1%0.0%0.0%
2011 70.2%29.6%0.2%0.0%0.0%
2012 68.5%31.2%0.2%0.0%0.0%
2013 66.5%33.2%0.3%0.0%0.0%
2014 64.2%35.4%0.3%0.0%0.0%
2015 62.0%37.6%0.3%0.1%0.0%
2016 59.8%39.6%0.4%0.1%0.0%
2017 58.1%41.2%0.4%0.1%0.1%
2018 56.9%42.3%0.5%0.1%0.1%
2019 56.9%42.1%0.6%0.2%0.2%
2020 56.9%41.8%0.8%0.2%0.2%
2021 57.5%40.2%1.4%0.4%0.3%
2022 58.0%38.0%2.2%0.9%0.6%
2023 58.6%35.4%3.3%1.5%0.7%
2024 58.9%32.2%5.2%2.2%1.0%
2025 58.3%28.8%7.6%3.2%1.4%
2026 57.1%25.3%10.2%4.5%2.2%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of June 2026 Updated

Electric cars in South Lanarkshire

7,504 battery electric cars were licensed in South Lanarkshire at the end of June 2026, 4.5% of all cars, 94th highest of 361 councils. With plug-in hybrids, 11,173 cars plug in. A year earlier there were 5,237.

Of the privately kept cars, which are registered at home addresses, 3.9% are battery electric (6,025 cars), 8th highest of 32 councils in Scotland. Companies keep 19.7% of the area’s battery electric cars, against 6.2% of its cars overall. There are also 213 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, South Lanarkshire compared, end of March each year
Year South LanarkshireScotlandUnited 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 0.2%0.3%0.4%
2021 0.4%0.7%0.8%
2022 0.9%1.2%1.5%
2023 1.5%1.9%2.3%
2024 2.2%2.5%3.2%
2025 3.2%3.4%4.4%
2026 4.5%4.5%5.8%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of June 2026 Updated

Public EV chargers in South Lanarkshire

There were 607 public chargers in South Lanarkshire on 1 July 2026, 187 of them rapid or ultra-rapid (50kW and above). That is 182 for every 100,000 residents, 110th highest of 361 councils, against 175 across the UK. The count rose 0.7% from 1 January 2026.

For every public charger there are 15.3 privately kept plug-in cars in South Lanarkshire (UK 12.9), 154th 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 South Lanarkshire by date
Date All public chargers50kW and above
Jan 2026 603178
Apr 2026 601176
Jul 2026 607187

Source:DfT 1 July 2026 Updated

Chargers per 100,000 residents

Public chargers per 100,000 residents, South Lanarkshire compared
Area All chargers50kW and above
South Lanarkshire 18256
Scotland 23259
UK 17542

Source:DfT 1 July 2026 Updated

Road traffic and collisions in South Lanarkshire

Vehicles travelled an estimated 1,799 million miles on roads in South Lanarkshire in 2025.

Traffic on all roads

Million vehicle miles a year on roads in South Lanarkshire
Year Million vehicle miles
1993 1,134
1994 1,168
1995 1,197
1996 1,235
1997 1,272
1998 1,295
1999 1,328
2000 1,294
2001 1,309
2002 1,362
2003 1,421
2004 1,442
2005 1,436
2006 1,510
2007 1,515
2008 1,518
2009 1,533
2010 1,520
2011 1,516
2012 1,549
2013 1,556
2014 1,600
2015 1,614
2016 1,680
2017 1,732
2018 1,740
2019 1,756
2020 1,344
2021 1,582
2022 1,728
2023 1,766
2024 1,797
2025 1,799

Source:DfT 1993 to 2025 Updated

Reported injury collisions

Police-reported injury collisions in South Lanarkshire, 2021 to 2025
Year CollisionsKilled or seriously injured
2021 18477
2022 21783
2023 262119
2024 253114
2025 220104

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

More road safety figures

Petrol and diesel prices in South Lanarkshire

Unleaded petrol averages 172.6p a litre across 33 filling stations in South Lanarkshire, 1.1p above the UK average. Diesel averages 199.2p, 0.5p above the UK average. Prices checked 31 Oct, 19:32.

Cheapest petrol

  1. Esso Hamilton Service Station Hamilton 167.6p
  2. Asda Larkhall Supermarket Larkhall 167.7p
  3. Gulf Avondale Services Strathaven 167.9p

Every filling station and price in South Lanarkshire

Roadworks in South Lanarkshire

The Scottish Road Works Register lists 929 sets of roadworks in South Lanarkshire, of which 187 are under way and 742 are planned. 365 of them close a road, a lane, a slip road or the hard shoulder. South Lanarkshire Council is behind the most, 365 of them (39.3%). From the extract of 30 October 2026.

Works most likely to hold you up

  • Glasgow Road, Rutherglen

    Lane closed Under way, until 5 Nov 2026 Scottish Water

    Lane closure for unsafe manhole cover

  • Cathkin Bypass, Rutherglen

    Lane closed Under way, until 13 Nov 2026 SP Energy Networks

    Excavate, backfill and reinstate to lay HV cable

  • Larchfield Drive, Rutherglen

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

    Excavate, backfill and reinstate to lay HV cable

  • Wellhall Road, Hamilton

    Road closed Under way, until 7 Dec 2026 SGN

    Mains diversion

  • A749 Glasgow Road, East Kilbride

    Lane closed Under way, until 13 Nov 2026 South Lanarkshire Council

    Drainage Investigation works

  • Tower Road, Douglas

    Road closed Under way, until 31 Oct 2026 Transport Scotland - SW Unit Op Company

    Daytime TTL's and Night time closure Safety Barrier works

  • Cairnmuir Highway, East Kilbride

    Road closed Under way, until 12 Nov 2026 South Lanarkshire Council

    S56 Road Opening Permit for Construction of New Access - Permit No A6801996

  • Cornwall Street, East Kilbride

    Lane closed Under way, until 3 Nov 2026 SP Energy Networks

    Excavate large HV joint bay, backfill & reinstate

  • Glenlee Street, Hamilton

    Road closed Under way, until 31 Oct 2026 South Lanarkshire Council

    Road Closure to facilitate the siting of welfare units associated with housing development

  • Tower Road, Douglas

    Road closed Under way, until 31 Oct 2026 South Lanarkshire Council

    Road Closure for Amey - Daytime TTL's and Night time closure Safety Barrier works

Who is digging

  • South Lanarkshire Council 365
  • BT 210
  • SP Energy Networks 154
  • Scottish Water 95
  • SGN 61

How traffic is managed

  • Road closed 329
  • Temporary traffic lights 192
  • Give and take 189
  • Road narrowed 68
  • No obstruction 62

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 2026-10-30 Updated

How South Lanarkshire compares

South Lanarkshire compared with Scotland, the UK
South Lanarkshire 465 4.5% 3.9% 6.2% 182 15.3
Scotland 439 4.5% 3.3% 7.8% 232 9.7
United Kingdom4445.8%3.1%10.0%17512.9

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 June 2026.

Driving test centres in South Lanarkshire

There are 3 DVSA car practical test centres in South Lanarkshire, and the highest pass rate in 2025/26 was 58.1% at Lanark.

Other centres in Scotland:

DVSA publishes pass rates by centre name, with no address, so centres are placed here by the place name in the name DVSA uses. See pass rates at every test centre.

Councils in Scotland

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

Councils in Scotland
Stirling 471 14.8% 4.5% 32.2% 511 6.0
Renfrewshire 439 12.8% 3.5% 34.8% 243 10.1
East Renfrewshire 475 5.5% 4.9% 4.3% 82 43.0
East Dunbartonshire 482 5.1% 4.5% 4.0% 103 32.4
West Lothian 481 4.9% 4.3% 5.6% 137 21.7
East Lothian 476 4.8% 4.4% 4.4% 600 5.1
Edinburgh 326 4.5% 3.6% 5.2% 192 9.7
Midlothian 465 4.5% 4.1% 5.1% 223 12.7
Orkney Islands 496 4.5% 4.0% 5.2% 386 7.3
South Lanarkshire 465 4.5% 3.9% 6.2% 182 15.3
Perth and Kinross 510 4.4% 3.9% 5.1% 363 8.3
Dundee 373 4.1% 3.2% 6.6% 472 3.7
North Lanarkshire 436 4.0% 3.4% 7.2% 168 13.7
Falkirk 495 3.9% 3.3% 5.4% 163 15.2
Fife 481 3.9% 3.4% 4.8% 132 18.2
South Ayrshire 483 3.9% 3.4% 5.1% 205 12.2
Aberdeenshire 533 3.8% 3.3% 4.3% 162 17.8
East Ayrshire 469 3.6% 3.1% 6.0% 229 9.6
Glasgow 309 3.5% 2.4% 9.6% 180 6.8
North Ayrshire 458 3.5% 3.0% 5.9% 199 10.6
Angus 507 3.4% 3.0% 4.7% 221 10.7
Clackmannanshire 496 3.4% 3.0% 4.9% 205 10.9
Aberdeen 399 3.3% 2.8% 4.4% 192 10.2
Scottish Borders 510 3.2% 2.9% 4.8% 224 10.4
Inverclyde 426 2.9% 2.5% 5.6% 237 7.5
West Dunbartonshire 421 2.9% 2.4% 6.7% 204 8.3
Argyll and Bute 474 2.8% 2.4% 4.7% 396 5.1
Highland 500 2.8% 2.3% 5.0% 387 5.0
Moray 507 2.8% 2.3% 4.5% 153 13.3
Dumfries and Galloway 514 2.4% 2.0% 5.7% 549 3.2
Shetland Islands 476 2.2% 1.7% 9.1% 323 4.3
Na h-Eileanan Siar 507 1.6% 1.3% 4.2% 515 2.4

Data stories to read next

All insights

Data sources and methodology

Datasets used on this page
Figures Source Period Records Updated
Licensed vehicles Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport End of June 2026 195,477 licensed vehicles in South Lanarkshire 26 October 2026
Plug-in and electric vehicles Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport End of June 2026 11,504 plug-in vehicles 26 October 2026
Public chargers Electric vehicle public charging infrastructure statistics Department for Transport 1 July 2026 121,171 public chargers (UK) 26 October 2026
Population Mid-year population estimates Office for National Statistics Mid-2024 404 areas 26 October 2026
  • Coverage: licensing and charger figures cover the whole UK. Licensing figures in South Lanarkshire 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.