Tasmanians are being urged to upgrade their clunkers, after figures reveal the state's roads remain home to the oldest cars in the nation.

The Bureau of Statistics says there is almost 331,000 registered passenger vehicles in Tasmania.

On average, they are more than 12 years old — about three years more than the average in the ACT, New South Wales and Northern Territory.

Average age of passenger vehicles Tasmania – 12.3 years

Tasmania – 12.3 years South Australia – 11.4

South Australia – 11.4 Western Australia – 10.5

Western Australia – 10.5 Victoria – 9.7

Victoria – 9.7 Queensland – 9.6

Queensland – 9.6 New South Wales – 9.3

New South Wales – 9.3 ACT – 9.3

ACT – 9.3 Northern Territory – 9.1

Northern Territory – 9.1 Australia – 9.8 Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

RACT spokesman Darren Moody said older cars had ramifications for road safety and emissions, and were likely to have higher fuel costs.

"If you're in an older vehicle and you have a crash, you're much more likely to be seriously injured or even killed," Mr Moody told Ryk Goddard on ABC Radio Hobart.

"So, it definitely relates to safety.

"Newer cars are also more efficient and use less fuel and there's less noxious substances going into the atmosphere."

Tasmania also boasts the most number of passenger vehicles per capita at 634 per 1,000 people.

Of the nation's 19.1 million registered vehicles, 14.3 million are passenger vehicles.

Mr Moody said Toyotas remained the most popular car driven in Australia and that we're still very fond of utes and are bucking the trend of falling sales overseas of diesel-powered vehicles.

The RACT says older cars are less efficient on fuel. ( ABC News: Ashley Dunn )

'Most people don't buy new cars'

Electric cars have not yet taken off in Tasmania, and Clive Attwater from Electric Highway Tasmania said there were several barriers.

"We've got a few cars in Tasmania and the reality is we have a lot of people who want to buy electric cars but there's very few available," Mr Attwater said.

"The good news is that new models are coming and we expect more to be here later in the year and this will be a more affordable batch."

Most passenger vehicles Toyota – 2,891,291

Toyota – 2,891,291 Holden – 1,775,661

Holden – 1,775,661 Ford – 1,215,333

Ford – 1,215,333 Mazda – 1,206,051

Mazda – 1,206,051 Hyundai – 1,058,999

Hyundai – 1,058,999 Mitsubishi – 835,034

Mitsubishi – 835,034 Nissan – 820,375

Nissan – 820,375 Honda – 713,416

Honda – 713,416 Subaru – 658,134

Subaru – 658,134 Volkswagen – 479,205 Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

Mr Attwater said Tasmanians were becoming more aware of electric cars and their capabilities.

"You don't need a long extension cord to drive to Launceston," he said, adding that the main constraint was a lack of supply.

"Most people don't buy new cars, they buy used cars, and those cars come from fleets," he said.

"If fleets aren't buying them, they aren't going to be there."

A lack of supply is hampering the growth of electric cars in Tasmania. ( Jesse leary: ABC News )

Mr Moody agreed that availability of electric vehicles was hampering growth in the area.

"The government is the largest purchaser of vehicles in the state," Mr Moody said.

Government cars are generally used for three years and then put to auction.

"The Government has recently changed its policy in terms of wanting five-star crash-rated cars which is really, really good," he said.

"We'd also like to see them be more encouraging of electric vehicles once affordable electric vehicles come on the market."