A motor vehicle, also known as a motorized vehicle, automotive vehicle, automobile, or road vehicle, is a self-propelled land vehicle, commonly wheeled, that does not operate on rails (such as trains or trams), does not fly (such as airplanes or helicopters), does not float on water (such as boats or ships), and is used for the transportation of people or cargo.
The vehicle propulsion is provided by an engine or motor, usually an internal combustion engine or an electric motor, or some combination of the two, such as hybrid electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. For legal purpose, motor vehicles are often identified within a number of vehicle classes including cars, buses, motorcycles, off-road vehicles, light trucks and regular trucks. These classifications vary according to the legal codes of each country. ISO 3833:1977 is the standard for road vehicle types, terms and definitions.[2] Generally, to avoid requiring people with disabilities from having to possess an operator's license to use one, or requiring tags and insurance, powered wheelchairs will be specifically excluded by law from being considered motor vehicles.
As of 2011[update], there were more than one billion motor vehicles in use in the world, excluding off-road vehicles and heavy construction equipment.[3][4][5] The US publisher Ward's estimates that as of 2019, there were 1.4 billion motor vehicles in use in the world.[6]
Global vehicle ownership per capita in 2010 was 148 vehicles in operation (VIO) per 1000 people.[5] China has the largest motor vehicle fleet in the world, with 322 million motor vehicles registered at the end of September 2018.[7] The United States has the highest vehicle ownership per capita in the world, with 832 vehicles in operation per 1000 people in 2016.[1] Also, China became the world's largest new car market in 2009.[4][5][8] In 2022, a total of 85 million cars and commercial vehicles were built, led by China which built a total of 27 million motor vehicles.[9]
(o) “Power-driven vehicle” means any self-propelled road vehicle, other than a moped in the territories of Contracting Parties which do not treat mopeds as motorcycles, and other than a rail-borne vehicle;
(p) “Motor vehicle” means any power-driven vehicle which is normally used for carrying persons or goods by road or for drawing, on the road, vehicles used for the carriage of persons or goods. This term embraces trolley-buses, that is to say, vehicles connected to an electric conductor and not rail-borne. It does not cover vehicles, such as agricultural tractors, which are only incidentally used for carrying persons or goods by road or for drawing, on the road, vehicles used for the carriage of persons or goods
— Vienna convention on road traffic
Other sources might provide other definitions, for instance in the year 1977, ISO 3833:1977 provide other definitions.
Motor vehicle ownership per 1000 inhabitants in 2014
Trucks' share of U.S. vehicles produced, has tripled since 1975. Though vehicle fuel efficiency has increased within each category, the overall trend toward less efficient types of vehicles has offset some of the benefits of greater fuel economy and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.[10] Without the shift towards SUVs, energy use per unit distance could have fallen 30% more than it did from 2010 to 2022.[11]
The U.S. publisher Ward's estimates that as of 2010, there were 1.015 billion motor vehicles in use in the world. This figure represents the number of cars, trucks (light, medium and heavy duty), and buses, but does not include off-road vehicles or heavy construction equipment. The world vehicle population passed the 500 million-unit mark in 1986, from 250 million motor vehicles in 1970. Between 1950 and 1970, the vehicle population doubled roughly every 10 years.[3][4][5]Navigant Consulting forecasts that the global stock of light-duty motor vehicles will reach 2 billion units in 2035.[12]
Global vehicle ownership in 2010 was 148 vehicles in operation per 1,000 people, a ratio of 1:6.75 vehicles to people, slightly down from 150 vehicles per 1,000 people in 2009, a rate of 1:6.63 vehicles to people.[5] The global rate of motorization increased in 2013 to 174 vehicles per 1000 people.[13] In developing countries vehicle ownership rates rarely exceed 200 cars per 1,000 population.[14]
The following table summarizes the evolution of motor vehicle registrations in the world from 1960 to 2019:
Note (1) Car registrations do not include U.S. light trucks (SUVs, minivan and pickups) that are used for personal travel. The US accounts these vehicles among trucks.
Since the early 2000s, the number of alternative fuel vehicles has been increasing driven by the interest of several governments to promote their widespread adoption through public subsidies and other non-financial incentives. Governments have adopted these policies due to a combination of factors, such as environmental concerns, high oil prices, and less dependence on imported oil.[3][21][22]
Since the late 2000s, China, European countries, the United States, Canada, Japan and other developed countries have been providing strong financial incentives to promote the adoption of plug-in electric vehicle. As of 2020[update], the stock of light-duty plug-in vehicles in use totaled over 10 million units.[23][24] As of 2019[update], in addition, the medium and heavy commercial segments add another 700,000 units to the global stock of plug-in electric vehicles.[24] In 2020 the global market share of plug-in passenger car sales was 4.2%, up from 2.5% in 2019.[23] Nevertheless, despite government support and the rapid growth experienced, the plug-in electric car segment represented just about 1 out of every 250 vehicles (0.4%) on the world's roads by the end of 2018.[25]
China
The People's Republic of China had 322 million motor vehicles in use at the end of September 2018, of which, 235 million were passenger cars in 2018, making China the country with largest motor vehicle fleet in the world.[7] In 2016, the motor vehicle fleet consisted of 165.6 million cars and 28.4 million trucks and buses.[1] About 13.6 million vehicles were sold in 2009, and motor vehicle registrations in 2010 increased to more than 16.8 million units, representing nearly half the world's fleet increase in 2010.[4][5] Ownership per capita rose from 26.6 vehicles per 1000 people in 2006 to 141.2 in 2016.[1]
The stock of highway-legal plug-in electric or new energy vehicles in China totaled 2.21 million units by the end of September 2018, of which, 81% are all-electric vehicles. These figures include heavy-duty commercial vehicles such buses and sanitation trucks, which represent about 11% of the total stock.[26] China is also the world's largest electric bus market, reaching about 385,000 units by the end of 2017.[27][28]
The number of cars and motorcycles in China increased 20 times between 2000 and 2010.[29] This explosive growth has allowed China to become the world's largest new car market, overtaking the US in 2009.[4][8] Nevertheless, ownership per capita is 58 vehicles per 1000 people, or a ratio of 1:17.2 vehicles to people, still well below the rate of motorization of developed countries.[5]
United States
Historical evolution of vehicle ownership rates in the U.S. (Selected years 1900–2016)[1]
Year
Veh. per 1000 people
Year
Veh. per 1000 people
Year
Veh. per 1000 people
1900
0.11
1940
245.63
1990
773.4
1905
0.94
1945
221.80
2000
800.3
1910
5.07
1950
323.71
2005
837.3
1920
86.78
1960
410.37
2010
808.4
1930
217.34
1970
545.35
2015
821.5
1935
208.6
1980
710.71
2016
831.9
The United States has the second-largest fleet of motor vehicles in the world after China. As of 2016[update], had a motor vehicles stock of 259.14 million, of which, 246 million were light duty vehicles, consisting of 112.96 million passenger cars and 133 million light trucks (includes SUVs). A total of 11.5 million heavy trucks were registered at the end 2016[1] Vehicle ownership per capita in the U.S. is also the highest in the world, the U.S. Department of Energy (USDoE) reports a motorization rate of 831.9 vehicles in operation per 1000 people in 2016, or a ratio of 1:1.2 vehicles to people.[1]
According to USDoE, the rate of motorization peaked in 2007 at 844.5 vehicles per 1,000 people.[1] In terms of licensed drivers, as of 2009 the country had 1.0 vehicle for every licensed driver, and 1.87 vehicles per household.[30] Passenger car registrations in the United States declined -11.5% in 2017 and -12.8% in 2018.[31]
As of 2017[update], the country's fleet also includes more than 160,000 natural gas vehicles, mainly transit buses and delivery fleets.[37] Despite its relative small size, natural gas use accounted for about 52% of all alternative fuels consumed by alternative transportation fuel vehicles in the U.S. in 2009.[38]
Europe
The 27 European Union (EU-27) member countries had a fleet of over 256 million in 2008, and passenger cars accounted for 87% of the union's fleet. The five largest markets, Germany (17.7%), Italy (15.4%), France (13.3%), the UK (12.5%), and Spain (9.5%), accounted for 68% of the region's total registered fleet in 2008.[39][40] The EU-27 member countries had in 2009 an estimated ownership rate of 473 passenger cars per 1000 people.[41]
According to Ward's, Italy had the second highest (after the U.S.) vehicle ownership per capita in 2010, with 690 vehicles per 1000 people.[5] Germany had a rate of motorization of 534 vehicles per 1000 people and the UK of 525 vehicles per 1000 people, both in 2008. France had a rate of 575 vehicles per 1000 people and Spain 608 vehicles per 1000 people in 2007.[42] Portugal, between 1991 and 2002 grew up 220% on its motorization rate, having had in 2002, 560 cars per 1000 people.[43]
Italy also leads in alternative fuel vehicles, with a fleet of 779,090 natural gas vehicles as of June 2012[update], the largest NGV fleet in Europe.[44] Sweden, with 225,000 flexible-fuel vehicles, has the largest flexifuel fleet in Europe by mid-2011.[45]
Norway is the leading plug-in market in Europe with almost 500,000 units registered as of December 2020[update].[50] In October 2018, Norway became the world's first country where 10% of all passenger cars on the road are plug-in electrics.[51][52] Also, the Norwegian plug-in car segment market share has been the highest in the world for several years, achieving 39.2% in 2017, 49.1% in 2018, and 74.7% in 2020.[53][54][55]
Japan
Japan had 73.9 million vehicles by 2010, and had the world's second largest motor vehicle fleet until 2009.[5] As of 2016[update], the registered motor vehicle fleet totaled 75.81 million vehicles consisting of 61,40 million cars and 14,41 million trucks and buses.[1] Japan has the largest hybrid electric vehicle fleet in the world.[34] As of March 2018[update], there were 7.51 million hybrids registered in the country, excluding kei cars, and representing 19.0% of all passenger cars on the road.[56]
Brazil
The Brazilian vehicle fleet reached 64.8 million vehicles in 2010, up from 29.5 million units in 2000, representing a 119% growth in ten years, and reaching a motorization rate of 340 vehicles per 1000 people.[58] In 2010 Brazil experienced the second largest fleet increase in the world after China, with 2.5 million vehicle registrations.[5]
As of 2018[update], Brazil has the largest alternative fuel vehicle fleet in the world with about 40 million alternative fuel motor vehicles in the road. The clean vehicle stock includes 30.5 million flexible-fuel cars and light utility vehicles and over 6 million flex-fuel motorcycles by March 2018;[59] between 2.4 and 3.0 million neat ethanol vehicles still in use,[60][61] out of 5.7 million ethanol only light-vehicles produced since 1979;[62] and, as of December 2012[update], a total of 1.69 million natural gas vehicles.[44]
In addition, all the Brazilian gasoline-powered fleet is designed to operate with high ethanol blends, up to 25% ethanol fuel (E25).[63][64][65] The market share of flex fuel vehicles reached 88.6% of all light-duty vehicles registered in 2017.[59]
India
India's vehicle fleet had the second-largest growth rate after China in 2010, with 8.9%. The fleet went from 19.1 million in 2009 to 20.8 million units in 2010.[5] India's vehicle fleet has increased to 210 million in March 2015.[66] India has a fleet of 1.1 million natural gas vehicles
as of December 2011[update] .[44]
Australia
As of January 2011, the Australian motor vehicle fleet had 16.4 million registered vehicles, with an ownership rate of 730 motor vehicles per 1000 people, up from 696 vehicles per 1000 residents in 2006. The motor vehicle fleet grew 14.5% since 2006, for an annual rate of 2.7% during this five-year period.[67]
In 2017, a total of 97.3 million cars and commercial vehicles were built worldwide, led by China, with about 29 million motor vehicles manufactured, followed by the United States with 11.2 million, and Japan with 9.7 million.[69] The following table shows the top 15 manufacturing countries for 2017 and their corresponding annual production between 2004 and 2017.
Annual motor vehicle production by country Top 15 countries 2017[69]
^Stacy C. Davis; Susan E. Williams & Robert G. Boundy (July 2016). "Transportation Energy Data Book: Edition 35"(PDF). Vehicle Technologies Office, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy. Retrieved 2017-08-24. See Tables 3.2 and 3.3 for 2010, 2012 and 2014 figures
^ abCarrington, Damian (2021-01-19). "Global sales of electric cars accelerate fast in 2020 despite pandemic". The Guardian. Retrieved 2021-01-19. The EV-volumes.com data showed the five highest national sales were in China (1.3m), Germany (0.4m), the US (0.3m), France and the UK (both 0.2m).Global sales of plug-ins cars totaled 3 million in 2020, 43% up from 2018. The market share of plug-in vehicles reached 4.2% of the global market, up from 2.5% in 2019. Tesla was the best selling brand with almost 500,000 units delivered.
^ abIrle, Roland (2020-02-03). "Global BEV & PHEV Sales for 2019". EV-volumes.com. Retrieved 2020-05-10. At the end of 2019 the global fleet of plug-ins was 7,5 million, counting light vehicles. Medium and heavy commercial vehicles add another 700 000 units to the global stock of plug-ins.
^ abAutomotive News China (2018-10-19). "China's electrified vehicle fleet tops 2.21 million". Automotive News China. Retrieved 2018-10-21. China's fleet of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids topped 2.21 million by the end of September as sales of electrified vehicles continued to surge in the country. Of the total, EVs accounted for 1.78 million, or nearly 81 percent. The rest were plug-in hybrids, China's Ministry of Public Security said this week. Electrified cargo vehicles — which include trucks, pickups and delivery vans — approached 254,000, representing 11 percent of the electrified vehicle fleet as of last month.
^"Motorisation rate". Eurostat. Retrieved 2011-08-22. Eurostat defines this indicator "as the number of passenger cars per 1 000 inhabitants. A passenger car is a road motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, intended for the carriage of passengers and designed to seat no more than nine persons (including the driver); the term "passenger car" therefore covers microcars (need no permit to be driven), taxis and hired passenger cars, provided that they have fewer than 10 seats; this category may also include pick-ups."
^BAFF. "Bought ethanol cars". BioAlcohol Fuel Foundation. Archived from the original on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2011-08-02. See Graph "Bought flexifuel vehicles"
^Jose, Pontes (2018-01-28). "Europe December 2017". EVSales.com. Retrieved 2018-02-25. "European sales totaled 306,143 plug-in cars in 2017."
^Norsk Elbilforening (Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association) (January 2019). "Norwegian EV market". Norsk Elbilforening. Retrieved 2019-01-10. Place the pointing device over the graph to show the cumulative number of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids in Norway at the end of each year. As of 31 December 2018[update], the registered light-duty plug-in electric stock totaled 296,214 units, consisting of 200,192 battery electric vehicles and 96,022 plug-in hybrids.
^Opplysningsrådet for Veitrafikken AS (OFV). "Bilsalget i 2017" [Car sales in 2017] (in Norwegian). OFV. Archived from the original on 2018-01-10. Retrieved 2018-01-11.
^Norwegian Road Federation (OFV) (2019-01-02). "Bilsalget i 2018" [Car sales in 2018] (in Norwegian). OFV. Archived from the original on 2019-02-07. Retrieved 2019-01-03.
^Goettemoeller, Jeffrey; Adrian Goettemoeller (2007). Sustainable Ethanol: Biofuels, Biorefineries, Cellulosic Biomass, Flex-Fuel Vehicles, and Sustainable Farming for Energy Independence. Prairie Oak Publishing, Maryville, Missouri. pp. 56–61. ISBN978-0-9786293-0-4.
^"Portaria Nº 143, de 27 de Junho de 2007" (in Portuguese). Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento. Retrieved 2008-10-05. This decree fixed the mandatory blend at 25% starting July 1, 2007