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October 22, 2024VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS, 2023 In 2023, Statistics Canada reports that there were 700,532 vehicles registered in Nova Scotia. The overwhelming majority (92.9%) of Nova Scotia's vehicles were in the lightest weight category: those weighing less than 4,535kg. Across Canada, 91.7% of registered were less than 4,535kg. Prince Edward Island and the three prairie provinces had more heavy vehicles (>4,535kg), with Saskatchewan's heavy vehicles accounting for 11.0% of total registration.
Looking at lighter vehicles only, passenger cars and multi-purpose vehicles (which includes sports utility vehicles and crossovers) account for just over 70% of Nova Scotia registered vehicles. Pickup trucks (under 4,535 kg) accounted for a further 17.8% of vehicles while vans (including minivans) added a further 4.4% of Nova Scotia's registered vehicles.
Across Canada, passenger car and multi-purpose vehicle registrations made up a lower portion of vehicles in the prairie provinces, where pickup trucks accounted for a larger share of registered vehicles.
Gasoline accounted for 92.4% of fuel type among registered vehicles in Nova Scotia (followed by diesel at 5.6%). Across Canada, gasoline accounted for 89.7% of vehicles by fuel type. Diesel vehicles were more prevalent in the prairie provinces as well as in British Columbia and Prince Edward Island.
Low or zero emission vehicles remain a small portion (<2%) of Nova Scotia's vehicle registrations. These vehicles were more commonly registered in British Columbia and Québec.
After contracting in 2020, the number of vehicles registered in Nova Scotia increased by 29,069 in 2021 and by a further 18,425 in 2022. However, growth in vehicle registrations slowed to just 5,046 in 2023.
Much of Nova Scotia's increased vehicle registrations in the last two years were for multi-purpose vehicles (including SUVs and crossovers) with smaller gains for pickup trucks. Registrations for passenger vehicles and vans declined for a second consecutive year in 2023. Motorcycle registrations fell for the first time since 2020.
Of Nova Scotia's 700,532 registered vehicles, 647,056 were gasoline-powered and a further 39,557 were fuelled with diesel.
Although small in numbers, there have been substantial proportional increases in hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicle registrations in Nova Scotia, rising to 13,691 in 2023.
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 23-10-0308-01 Vehicle registrations, by type of vehicle and fuel type