For some time there has been a Twitter debate regarding the number of wheels and doors worldwide. That debate went viral, and everyone had their opinion. To be clear, we are here for wheels, so that we will focus on that topic.
So, how many wheels are in the world? To get the final number, we must count all wheels, including toy wheels, wheels of all cars, bicycles, motorcycle wheels, and all other objects with wheels. On all these counts, there are over 37 billion wheels. This topic may seem irrelevant, but the number of wheels represents power, progress, and the overall development of technology.
This is a broad, undefined number, so we will try to break these numbers into groups. Many factors impact these figures; in the end, these figures are just an estimation. But it is fun to know that you can know at least an estimated number of all wheels in the world. Enjoy!
Current estimates of the number of wheels in the world
Getting an exact number of wheels in the world is an impossible task. The world estimates around 37 billion wheels, but the number is growing daily. Toys are a major factor in this number because out of 37 billion wheels, 24 go to them.
Overview of existing estimates
In 2020, there were over 77 million cars produced. If we count that each car has 5 wheels (including the spare), that leads to 185 million wheels. Bicycle wheels production went to 265 million per year. With 300 million Lego wheels and 1 billion wheels of Hot Wheels, we can see that the numbers are rising. Keeping this type of statistic current is impossible.
Factors that affect the accuracy of these estimates
It is hard to do an exact count on this matter. Every day numbers increase due to the worldwide production of products that have wheels. That includes cars and trucks, even office equipment and toys.
Breakdown of the number of wheels by type
A rough estimate of 37 billion wheels worldwide is an impressive number. Break down that figure into categories will explain much more, and we can see how many wheels are around us. Most of us are unaware of that information, but the data is mind-blowing.
Cars, trucks, and buses
There are around 1.5 billion cars in the world. They have four wheels, but we must count all the steering wheels and wheels that are used in the transmission. That makes for 8.7 billion wheels coming out of the cars only.
We must count the number of trucks and buses, which is around 75 million. If we multiply it by 6 we get over 450 million wheels on these heavy vehicles. Some of these vehicles have six wheels, some even more, but trying to count all of these is impossible.
Motorcycles, scooters, and bicycles
We cannot forget the number of motorcycles and bicycles when talking about wheels. Currently, there are around 1.25 billion of these two-wheeled vehicles in the world. Multiplying it by two, we get at least 2.5 billion wheels from these types of vehicles only.
Other vehicles with wheels, such as trains and planes
Also, an important factor for overall wheel number is vehicles for mass transport like trains and planes.
Currently, there are over 4,000 passenger jets in the world, with an average of 6 wheels per plane. The number of trains and wagons is estimated to be 18 million, and they are using over 254 million wheels.
Check Out I Solved The “Doors vs. Wheels” Debate:
Interesting facts and figures about wheels in the world
When we think about the wheel we think about cars, bicycles, and other means of transport. What we don’t even register is the large number of wheels used in the household and other services.
Each supermarket has shopping carts with four wheels. In almost every home there are four-wheeled items like chairs and cabinets. We are also forgetting toys that can have many wheels, and these toys are a major factor in the total wheel number.
When it comes to the history of the wheel, it has been used since 3.500 B.C. Before that, levers were used to move anything heavy.
Another interesting fact is that manufacturers that are using wheels for their products, rarely make them. Some specialized manufacturers are focused on wheel production.
Most popular types of vehicles and their wheels
Now, cars are the most popular vehicles in the world with a total share of 8.7 billion wheels. When we know that the total number of wheels is 87 billion and rising, it is not hard to see that cars are a major factor.
We also must not forget toys that bring in the most wheels into the total statistic. There are other sources of vehicles that are often forgotten, like skateboards, shopping carts, office chairs, and even wheelie shoes.
When we mentioned toys, we paid special attention to large manufacturers. But other non-hot wheels toys bring a large number of wheels into play.
Differences in the number of wheels by country or region
The U.S. is the most motorized country in the world with the vast majority of the population owning cars. In 2014. out of the 300 million Americans, over 250 million owned a car. Then, China had only 100 million cars, which is a much lower number when compared to all Western countries.
The number of wheeled vehicles is the highest in Western countries. Most people have cars, bikes, and other transportation methods with wheels. China has the greatest potential for improvement, followed by India.
Environmental impact of the number of wheels in the world
As the number of wheels in the world rises, that is leading to an increased number of cars and other vehicles. That is subsequently leading to higher levels of exhaust gasses released into the atmosphere.
People want to own vehicles, and particularly in Western countries, families today have 2, 3, or even more vehicles. All those factors add to the environmental issues that the world is having right now.
Future projections for the number of wheels in the world
The number of wheels is purely based on the number of products with wheels sold. That includes toys with wheels, transport vehicles, and all other items with wheels. All that is connected with the quality of life, and average salary levels.
Currently, inflation and overall economic insecurity impact the sale of many products in all countries. If that continues, that will affect the sale of wheels.
Factors that could affect the future number of wheels
The price of vehicles is a significant factor that can impact the total number of wheels. The price of cars is currently on the rise. That already led to a decline in car sales. Electric vehicles are still more expensive than classic ICE cars, which can lead to further problems with sales. All that can impact the number of wheels worldwide.
Predictions for the growth or decline of certain types of vehicles and their wheels
With the EV revolution in full swing in the last couple of years, we can say that the tide is changing. The vehicles with internal combustion engines will be slowly phased out of production. They will be replaced by EVs and hybrid vehicles in the next couple of decades.
That will impact the shift in the production of wheels. ICE car production will require fewer and fewer vehicles, while other green-powered cars will take the lead.
How Many Wheels Are In The World: FAQs
How Many Tires Are There in the World?
In 2022, there were around 2.1 trillion tires in the world. That number will rise to an estimated 2.5 trillion in 2025.
Are there more doors or wheels in the world?
Some sources point out that there are 33 billion doors in the world. That number includes doors on vehicles, apartment buildings, cabinet doors, and other products with doors. If we compare that number to the estimated 37 billion wheels, we can conclude that there are more wheels. Another source mentioned 42 billion doors, so this wheel door debate is far from a conclusion.
Why is it so hard to come to a definitive answer? Because it is impossible to exactly identify the number of both wheels or doors. There are all calculations, and mostly speculations. Also, the number of both doors and wheels is constantly increasing, making this topic hard to resolve.
Final Considerations
Wheels are a sign of progress. When man invented the wheel he could move heavy loads easier and faster. Before everything was carried manually, and transportation was slow. The wheel turns everything around. The rise in the number of wheels is proof that things are going in the right direction.
When looking at the total number of wheels, we must take into account all products. No matter how trivial, some items make our life easier. We use wheels for transport, toys, entertainment, practical use, and many other ways to make our lives easier. Wheels became essential.
