One third of cars are already more than twenty years old: the age of the car fleet continues to increase

The age of the car fleet circulating on our roads continues to grow and now stands at an average of 14.5 years, a figure 0.3 years higher than the 14.2 years recorded in 2023. This figure is even higher if we analyse the rest of the vehicles. We find that industrial vehicles are the oldest in the fleet with an average of 15.1 years, but not far behind commercial vehicles, with 14.7 years. As for buses, they are the youngest with an average of 11.5 years.

Despite what is confirmed by the report prepared by IDEAUTO according to DGT data, it is curious that the state's vehicle fleet has increased over the past year by 1.9% compared to 2023, with a total of 31,301,881 registered vehicles. In addition, it is especially significant that the weight of vehicles older than twenty years is consolidating its growth, and that they represent 27.7% of the total volume of the fleet and reach 8.7 million vehicles, 11.2% more than in 2023.

Fewer vehicles without a label, but few ECO or 0

Vehicles without any type of environmental label still represent more than 25% of the total vehicle fleet, however, the total number of this type of vehicle was reduced by 6.9% compared to 2023, standing at 8,413,586 units. However, this reduction is not strictly linked to the appearance of more vehicles with ECO and 0 labels. And the fact is that, despite the fact that these labels have increased compared to 2023, their weight is still not very relevant.

Thus, cars with an ECO label have increased by 30%, while those with 0 have done so by 34.9%. But since the total figures are so low, despite this spectacular increase, the ECO share is 5.8% and that of 0 is only 1.6% of the total number of vehicles. What is interesting is that this increase in electrified vehicles is largely influenced by industrial vehicles and buses, which have grown by 73.8% and almost 60%, respectively.

Diesel is still the preferred one

Anti-pollution regulations are the order of the day and all manufacturers are betting (voluntarily or by obligation) on hybrid and electric vehicles, but it is very curious that the IDEAUTO report reveals that diesel vehicles continue to be the majority in the Spanish fleet; almost three out of five vehicles (58.9%) use this fuel, reducing by only 0.5% compared to 2023, standing at 18,427,111 total units. As for gasoline vehicles, they represent 33.8% of the fleet.

In this sense, José López-Tafall, general director of ANFAC, has stated that "in 2024, more than 8.5 million vehicles over twenty years old continued to circulate, which is especially worrying not only if we talk about reducing emissions, but because they incorporate fewer ADAS and safety systems."

López-Tafall also assures that ANFAC insists on "the need for citizens to know the advantages of a new vehicle and that it can improve their quality of life and make driving easier." "A new vehicle, whatever its technology, will always be better than a vehicle that is more than ten years old, not only because it benefits the reduction of emissions, but because it directly benefits having safer and more technologically advanced vehicles on our roads and in our cities."

In any case, it does not seem easy to reverse the upward trend in the age of the Spanish vehicle fleet, especially if we take into account prices, which have increased incessantly in recent years. And what is even worse: there is currently no indicator that can anticipate that these prices will fall in the near future.