A quarter of households in England did not own a car last year, marking the highest rate since 2015 and an increase from 21 percent in 2020, according to the annual National Travel Survey. This trend has emerged amid rising costs associated with vehicle ownership and a series of government policies that critics argue are targeting motorists.
The proportion of households without a car has risen to 25 percent, up from 22 percent the previous year. This data suggests that increasing numbers of families are foregoing vehicle ownership, not due to a surge in walking, cycling, or public transport usage, as rates for these modes of travel remained largely stagnant. Instead, the figures indicate a shift driven by the escalating expenses of running a vehicle.
Critics attribute this trend to what they term Labour's ‘war on motorists.’ Measures implemented since the party's election victory in 2024 include the expansion of 20mph speed zones, a new pay-per-mile levy for electric and hybrid vehicles, and planned increases to fuel duty. Additionally, proposals are being considered to more than double parking ticket fines outside of London, potentially raising the cap from £70 to £160.
Tory shadow transport minister Greg Smith stated, “It could not be clearer that Labour are waging war on motorists. The Left think cars are a luxury. The rest of us know cars are a necessity to get to work, drop the kids at school, do the family shop and so much more. Labour needs to drop the anti-car measures and get on the side of real people trying to live their lives.”
Reform UK's deputy leader Richard Tice echoed these sentiments, saying, “Labour is waging a war on motorists and working families are paying the price. Driving is not a luxury for millions of people, it's how they get to work, take their children to school and run their lives. Reform UK will stand up for motorists and protect people’s freedom to travel.”
While cars and vans remain the dominant mode of transport, accounting for 76 percent of all miles travelled and 58 percent of all trips in England in 2025, the number of households with vehicle access has declined. Approximately 33 percent of households owned two or more cars, while 42 percent owned one.
The survey also highlighted disparities in car ownership based on income. Forty-four percent of households in the lowest income quintile reported no car access, in contrast to 17 percent in the highest income quintile.
Transportation methods varied by vehicle type: 57 percent of cars were petrol, 28 percent diesel, 8 percent hybrid, 5 percent fully electric, and 2 percent plug-in hybrid. Average trip numbers also saw a decrease, with car driver trips per person falling by 9 percent and car passenger trips by 12 percent compared to 2024. Trips via public transport and active travel remained consistent with the previous year, with active travel accounting for approximately 31 percent of trips and public transport 10 percent.
Bus trips outside London remained unchanged, while trips within London saw a slight increase. However, mainline rail trips decreased by 11 percent in 2025 compared to 2024, despite a freeze on rail fares.