A recent study has pinpointed the region with the highest number of cars or vans per household, with Birmingham taking the top spot.
Conducted by insurance specialists Howden Insurance, the study analyzed data from the 2021 census to determine the number of cars per household in the 25 largest regions in England and Wales.
Out of the 423,456 households in Birmingham, 6.3% own at least three cars or vans (26,683), while nearly a third (31.7%) of households do not have any vehicles.
Birmingham also leads in households with one or two vehicles at 176,325 and 86,325, respectively, accounting for 0.7% and 0.3% of all households in England and Wales.
Birmingham City Council is dedicated to reducing the environmental impact of transportation, aligning with the city’s goal to become carbon neutral by 2030.
With 142,676 households owning one car or van, Leeds exhibits a similar trend to Birmingham, where a significant proportion rely on a single vehicle (41.8% of total households in the city).
Leeds also reports 98,083 households without any vehicles, indicating a robust public transport system or an urban layout conducive to non-motorized travel.
Each city demonstrates varying levels of reliance on personal vehicles. For instance, Sheffield has 67,843 households without vehicles and 14,381 households with three or more cars or vans (29.2% and 6.2%, respectively).
In Manchester, 7,084 households own three or more cars and vans (3.3%), while 83,770 households do not own any vehicles. The city ranks fourth in households with a single vehicle at 92,267 (43%).
The ten regions with the highest car or van ownership per household
| City | No Car or Van | One Car or Van | Two Cars or Vans | Three or More Cars or Vans |
| Birmingham | 134,123 | 176,325 | 86,325 | 26,683 |
| Leeds | 98,083 | 142,676 | 79,730 | 20,977 |
| Sheffield | 67,843 | 98,577 | 51,149 | 14,381 |
| Manchester | 83,770 | 92,267 | 31,611 | 7,084 |
| Bradford | 57,910 | 88,910 | 48,227 | 14,820 |
| Bristol | 50,141 | 87,781 | 41,397 | 12,321 |
| Liverpool | 83,142 | 83,796 | 33,311 | 7,242 |
| West Northamptonshire | 27,457 | 67,278 | 56,520 | 21,385 |
| Cardiff | 47,703 | 63,557 | 31,334 | 19,070 |
| North Northamptonshire | 23,793 | 60,120 | 47,703 | 17,302 |
The study revealed a total of 246,315 households with three or more cars or vans, showcasing the diversity in vehicle ownership. The total number of households without vehicles was 1,100,905.
The City of London, known for its commercial and financial districts, exhibits lower car ownership rates compared to residential areas. Notably, no households in the City of London own three or more cars or vans.
In the City of London, 123 households own one vehicle, and 43 households own two vehicles.
When interpreting the data, various factors like public transport infrastructure and population size must be considered to understand multi-vehicle ownership patterns.
For instance, London’s extensive network of buses, trains, and the Underground provides efficient public transport options that diminish the need for personal vehicles.
The study also suggests that the cost of motor insurance in high-risk areas could influence vehicle ownership levels, particularly in densely populated regions where higher car numbers are expected.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), vehicle crime constitutes 4.7% of all major crime types, with 397,264 vehicle crimes reported in the year ending September 2023 – a 2% increase from the previous year.
Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson from Howden Insurance remarked, “The recent car ownership data underscores the urban lifestyle and transportation landscape. Robust public transport options are vital for those without a car, while families with multiple vehicles face the trade-off between necessity and convenience. This data encourages us to reflect on the broader impact of our transportation choices.”
“It is crucial to acknowledge our role in shaping sustainable and accessible urban environments. As we progress, let’s strive towards a future where mobility emphasizes environmental consciousness and communal well-being,” the spokesperson concluded.