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West Dunbartonshire motoring statistics

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

Last updated
Records analysed
52,695 licensed vehicles in West Dunbartonshire
Methodology
View methodology
  • Licensed cars 40,036 +0.7% on a year earlier
  • Private cars per 1,000 people 420 UK 441
  • Battery electric cars 1,112 2.8% of cars (UK 5.4%)
  • Electric share of private cars 2.3% 103rd lowest of 361 councils
  • Public chargers 182 204 per 100,000 people (UK 175)
  • Company-registered cars 6.5% UK 9.9%

How many cars are there in West Dunbartonshire?

There were 40,036 licensed cars in West Dunbartonshire at the end of March 2026, and 52,695 licensed vehicles of all kinds. That is 11.1% more cars than in 2010. Privately kept cars work out at 420 for every 1,000 residents, 90th lowest of 361 councils (UK 441).

Licensed vehicles in West Dunbartonshire

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

Licensed cars and vehicles in West Dunbartonshire at the end of March each year
Year All vehiclesCars
2010 50,02736,046
2011 39,43634,555
2012 38,78434,540
2013 38,87534,685
2014 39,79035,468
2015 40,71036,283
2016 41,71636,988
2017 42,82037,816
2018 43,53738,230
2019 44,86838,740
2020 49,98739,693
2021 49,37339,193
2022 49,48839,020
2023 49,41839,025
2024 49,95439,290
2025 52,44739,774
2026 52,69540,036

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, West Dunbartonshire compared
Year West DunbartonshireScotlandUnited Kingdom
2011 382429–
2012 383430–
2013 389436–
2014 398443–
2015 406446473
2016 412450480
2017 421457488
2018 429461490
2019 436465493
2020 439462489
2021 445469493
2022 442466489
2023 438465489
2024 443468490

Source:ONS Mid-2024 Updated

Petrol, diesel and electric cars in West Dunbartonshire

59.7% of cars in West Dunbartonshire run on petrol and 27.0% on diesel. Diesel’s share peaked at 40.0% in 2020. Hybrids that do not plug in make up 8.4%, and cars that plug in 4.4%.

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 West Dunbartonshire, end of March each year
Year PetrolDieselHybridBattery electricPlug-in hybrid
2010 74.3%25.5%0.1%0.0%0.0%
2011 75.3%24.5%0.1%0.0%0.0%
2012 73.2%26.5%0.2%0.0%0.0%
2013 71.1%28.5%0.2%0.0%0.0%
2014 69.1%30.5%0.3%0.0%0.0%
2015 66.9%32.7%0.3%0.0%0.0%
2016 64.4%35.1%0.4%0.0%0.0%
2017 62.5%36.9%0.5%0.1%0.1%
2018 60.5%38.8%0.5%0.1%0.1%
2019 59.6%39.4%0.7%0.1%0.1%
2020 58.6%40.0%0.9%0.2%0.2%
2021 58.6%39.4%1.4%0.2%0.3%
2022 58.9%37.7%2.2%0.5%0.5%
2023 59.4%35.8%3.0%0.8%0.7%
2024 60.4%33.0%4.2%1.3%0.8%
2025 60.2%30.1%6.2%2.1%1.0%
2026 59.7%27.0%8.4%2.8%1.6%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated

Electric cars in West Dunbartonshire

1,112 battery electric cars were licensed in West Dunbartonshire at the end of March 2026, 2.8% of all cars, 81st lowest of 361 councils. With plug-in hybrids, 1,749 cars plug in. A year earlier there were 825.

Of the privately kept cars, which are registered at home addresses, 2.3% are battery electric (845 cars), 9th lowest of 32 councils in Scotland. Companies keep 24.0% of the area’s battery electric cars, against 6.5% of its cars overall. There are also 239 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, West Dunbartonshire compared, end of March each year
Year West DunbartonshireScotlandUnited Kingdom
2016 0.0%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 0.2%0.6%0.7%
2022 0.5%1.1%1.3%
2023 0.8%1.7%2.1%
2024 1.3%2.3%3.0%
2025 2.1%3.2%4.1%
2026 2.8%4.2%5.4%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated

Public EV chargers in West Dunbartonshire

There were 182 public chargers in West Dunbartonshire on 1 July 2026, 57 of them rapid or ultra-rapid (50kW and above). That is 204 for every 100,000 residents, 81st highest of 361 councils, against 175 across the UK. The count rose 3.4% from 1 January 2026.

For every public charger there are 7.7 privately kept plug-in cars in West Dunbartonshire (UK 11.9), 58th 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 West Dunbartonshire by date
Date All public chargers50kW and above
Jan 2026 17651
Apr 2026 18057
Jul 2026 18257

Source:DfT 1 July 2026 Updated

Chargers per 100,000 residents

Public chargers per 100,000 residents, West Dunbartonshire compared
Area All chargers50kW and above
West Dunbartonshire 20464
Scotland 23259
UK 17542

Source:DfT 1 July 2026 Updated

Road traffic and collisions in West Dunbartonshire

Vehicles travelled an estimated 432 million miles on roads in West Dunbartonshire in 2025.

Traffic on all roads

Million vehicle miles a year on roads in West Dunbartonshire
Year Million vehicle miles
1993 324
1994 328
1995 334
1996 342
1997 348
1998 352
1999 357
2000 360
2001 362
2002 372
2003 373
2004 372
2005 380
2006 389
2007 385
2008 386
2009 396
2010 386
2011 388
2012 389
2013 388
2014 399
2015 405
2016 412
2017 411
2018 419
2019 419
2020 328
2021 378
2022 412
2023 418
2024 426
2025 432

Source:DfT 1993 to 2025 Updated

Reported injury collisions

Police-reported injury collisions in West Dunbartonshire, 2021 to 2025
Year CollisionsKilled or seriously injured
2021 4321
2022 3912
2023 5531
2024 4324
2025 5631

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

More road safety figures

Petrol and diesel prices in West Dunbartonshire

Unleaded petrol averages 173.7p a litre across 12 filling stations in West Dunbartonshire, 2.0p above the UK average. Diesel averages 197.8p, 3.2p above the UK average. Prices checked 16 Sept, 16:47.

Cheapest petrol

  1. Esso Alexandria Service Station Alexandria 171.9p
  2. Esso Asda Lomondgate Express Petrol West Dunbartonshire 171.9p
  3. BP Clydebank Clydebank 171.9p

Every filling station and price in West Dunbartonshire

Roadworks in West Dunbartonshire

The Scottish Road Works Register lists 200 sets of roadworks in West Dunbartonshire, of which 63 are under way and 137 are planned. 49 of them close a road, a lane, a slip road or the hard shoulder. West Dunbartonshire Council is behind the most, 46 of them (23.0%). From the extract of 16 September 2026.

Works most likely to hold you up

  • Dalreoch Station Road, Dumbarton

    Road closed Under way, until 1 Oct 2026 Scottish Water

    Exc & Lay Sewer

  • St Andrew's Crescent, Dumbarton

    Road closed Under way, until 17 Sept 2026 SP Energy Networks

    Excavation installation and reinstatement for new electric service

  • Alexander Street, Alexandria

    Road closed Under way, until 31 Oct 2026 West Dunbartonshire Council

    Resurfacing, installing new kerbs and tactiles

  • Overtoun Avenue, Dumbarton

    Road closed Under way, until 15 Oct 2026 West Dunbartonshire Council

    Lighting column repair/replacement

  • Glasgow Road, Dumbarton

    Road closed Under way, until 15 Sept 2026 West Dunbartonshire Council

    Utility Diversion works in connection with Exxon site. WB partial closure.

  • Bank Street, Alexandria

    Lane closed Under way, until 16 Sept 2026 Network Rail

    Lane closure to allow safe access for repair of failed bolts on underside of structure walkways. Alloy tower on roadway. Work times 22.00 to 06.00

  • Bank Street, Alexandria

    Road closed Under way, until 6 Jan 2027 West Dunbartonshire Council

    Footway Closure

  • Alexander Street, Alexandria

    Road closed Under way, until 31 Oct 2026 West Dunbartonshire Council

    Occupation of carriageway for regeneration works

  • Alexander Street, Alexandria

    Road closed Under way, until 31 Oct 2026 West Dunbartonshire Council

    Resurfacing works, lay new kerbs and tactiles

  • Dalreoch Station Road, Dumbarton

    Road closed Under way, until 12 Feb 2027 West Dunbartonshire Council

    Occupation of Road and lower carpark for major Scottish Water works

Who is digging

  • West Dunbartonshire Council 46
  • BT 43
  • SP Energy Networks 34
  • SGN 28
  • Scottish Water 27

How traffic is managed

  • Give and take 83
  • Road closed 37
  • Temporary traffic lights 31
  • Footway only 14
  • No obstruction 11

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 West Dunbartonshire compares

West Dunbartonshire compared with Scotland, the UK
West Dunbartonshire 420 2.8% 2.3% 6.5% 204 7.7
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 52,695 licensed vehicles in West Dunbartonshire 15 September 2026
Plug-in and electric vehicles Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport End of March 2026 2,012 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 West Dunbartonshire 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.