Seoul Sees Shift Away From Car Ownership (Image courtesy of Yonhap/OGQ)
SEOUL, Jan. 28 (Korea Bizwire) — The number of registered vehicles in Seoul declined for a third consecutive year in 2025, making the capital the only region in South Korea to record a sustained drop, even as registrations of environmentally friendly cars climbed sharply, city officials said Wednesday.
According to an analysis released by the Seoul Metropolitan Government using national vehicle and population data, the total number of registered vehicles in the city stood at about 3.16 million at the end of last year, down 0.6 percent from a year earlier. Nationwide, by contrast, vehicle registrations increased by 0.8 percent.
Officials said the figures underscore a structural shift in urban transportation demand, with eco-friendly vehicles increasingly shaping the market.
Seoul has the lowest car ownership rate in the country, with one vehicle for every 2.94 residents, reflecting the city’s dense population and extensive public transit system. Areas with greater access to mass transportation consistently showed lower vehicle ownership.
While overall registrations declined, the number of environmentally friendly vehicles — including electric, hydrogen and hybrid models — rose more than 21 percent from the previous year to roughly 425,000. Electric vehicles alone surpassed the 100,000 mark for the first time.
Diesel-powered vehicles continued a steady retreat, with their share shrinking at an accelerating pace each year since 2021, city data showed.
Foreign-brand vehicles also gained ground. Imported cars accounted for nearly 23 percent of all registered vehicles in Seoul, with premium districts such as Gangnam and Seocho recording the highest concentrations.
This photo shows a charging station for electric vehicles in Seoul. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
Demographic patterns revealed notable shifts as well. Male vehicle ownership has declined since 2023, while registrations by women have increased steadily. By age group, ownership fell among residents in their 50s and younger, but rose among those 60 and older, with the largest growth seen among people in their 70s.
City officials said the data will guide future transportation policy, including tighter demand management, expanded public transit and accelerated investment in eco-friendly infrastructure.
“We will strengthen transport safety measures and respond quickly to changing demand through continuous monitoring,” Yeo Jang-kwon, head of Seoul’s transportation bureau, said.
The findings point to a capital city gradually redefining mobility — one less centered on car ownership and increasingly shaped by environmental concerns and demographic change.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
