After a historic decline during the pandemic, car ownership climbed by 0.36% or 124,393 cars to 35.15 million in 2022, slightly less than but similar to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.

The uptick comes after car ownership had fallen for two straight years - the first such decline in more than 100 years.

"After two tough years, Britain is on the road to recovery with the first growth in car ownership since the pandemic – while vans and trucks also continue to deliver for business and society in ever greater numbers," SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes said in a statement.

The industry body also said the overall number of vehicles on UK roads reached an all-time high of 40.72 million last year, led by easing supply shortages.

The data showed a record 1.1 million electric cars in use, rising by more than half from a year earlier.

"Now is the time to commit to greater investment in infrastructure and incentives, to speed up a switch to carbon-free mobility that is accessible to all," Hawes said.

Easing supply chain challenges also led to a 13.1% rise in British car production in February and the eighth consecutive rise in new car sales in March.