Vehicle fleet per capita

Is vehicle ownership on the rise?

Malta’s land transport sector primarily depends on private personal mobility. There are a large number of vehicles when compared to the population.

This has a negative impact on human health and the environment, as well as the economy. In 2011 the stock of licensed motor vehicles increased by 2.4 per cent to 311,947, while the number of vehicles per capita increased marginally to 0.74.

In 2011, 60 per cent (11,292) of imported and licensed vehicles were second-hand, down from a share of 66 per cent in 2010. The share of imported second-hand vehicles is of particular concern since second-hand vehicles imported from the European Union (EU) can be registered in Malta with emission standards that are not as stringent as those required for new vehicles, since these would have been previously registered elsewhere in the EU.

At the end of 2011, the average age of the national vehicle stock was 13.9 years. In 2011 there were 26 licensed electric motor vehicles, down from 30 in 2010 while there were 18 electric motorcycles, six more than in 2010.

In 2011, public transport patronage was estimated at 32.8 million passengers, growing by 4.8 per cent, in line with the 3.5 per cent rise in 2010.

For more information see The Environment Report Indicators 2010-2011 at http://www.mepa.org.mt/teri2010-2011 .