In 2020, 6.2 million motorised road vehicles (excluding mopeds) were registered in Switzerland. This corresponds to an increase of 36% compared with 2000. The 6.2 million vehicles included 4.7 million passenger cars and 0.8 million motorcycles.

Stock of vehicles

Between 2000 and 2020, the road vehicle stock (excluding mopeds) increased by 36% to 6.2 million. Passenger cars accounted for around three quarters of this stock; for some time there has been a trend towards hybrid and electric vehicles. In 2020, 43 400 all-electric vehicles were registered, representing 0.9% of all passenger cars. The canton of Zug had the highest rate of electric vehicles at 2.0%.

A considerable increase has also been seen among motorcycles and light goods vehicles: their stocks have risen by 56% and 74% respectively since 2000.

In 2015, 65% of all households owned at least one bicycle. 7% of households had an e-bike.

Road vehicles – New registrations

The coronavirus pandemic affected the Swiss automobile market badly in 2020. 336 841 motor vehicles were newly registered nationwide. This was the lowest number for 24 years and a decline of 17.8% in comparison with 2019. New registrations of passenger cars fell by as much as 23.7%.

Despite this record drop the number of newly registered electric cars (49.8%) and plug-in hybrids (+225.7%) rose again in 2020. Together these two groups accounted for 14.3% of all new passenger cars.