Is vehicle ownership on the rise?

Land transport in Malta is principally dependent on privately owned vehicles. The large number of vehicles relative to the population has a negative impact on human and ecosystem health, as well as land take-up, congestion and urban quality, thus also impacting the economy.

In 2009 registered private motor vehicles totalled 300,347, increasing by 1.9 per cent over 2008, this being the lowest growth rate since 2006. In 2009 vehicles per capita stood at 0.73, increasing slightly from 0.71 in 2008, due to a decrease in total population.

In 2009, 64 per cent (18,717) of imported vehicles were second-hand, 52 per cent more than in 2008.

The increasing number of imported second-hand vehicles is of particular concern since second-hand vehicles in the European Union are not required to have the same emission standards as new vehicles. As of 2011, the average age of the national vehicle stock is between 13 and 14 years.

The number of registered electric motor vehicles increased again by three, totalling 33 in 2009, while there were five electric motorcycles.