News / Transport
Bristol among top-five in UK for electric car use
A recent report into electric vehicles ownership has placed Bristol in the top five for highest number of registered electric cars in the UK.
Using data obtained from the DVLA, Bristol places fifth with more than 43,000 electric cars registered, following behind Milton Keynes with a registered number of 48,643 pure electric cars.
A map to show the top 20 EV hotspots across the UK (excluding London) – image: One World.
The report from OneHome places the BS postcode area rests above areas such as Peterborough, Leeds and neighbouring Bath, which has a registered number of 21,586 EV cars.
However, the number one place in the UK, Stockport, has over double the number (97,856) of EVs on its roads as Bristol has.
Electric vehicle recharging point – photo: Yoyi Clark
Overall, there has been a 15 per cent increase in the number of pure electric cars on UK roads since 2023.
The rise in sales has, however, has seen what is known as EV ‘deserts’ forming in rural parts of Scotland and Wales, as well as in less wealthy areas of Northern England, revealing distinct variations in ownership levels across the UK.
Although, the lower population density in these areas is a significant factor that contributes to lower figures.
Responding to the report, head of One Home and environmental scientist, Angela Terry said: “It’s concerning to see a widening chasm between levels of electric car ownership in rural areas and in disadvantaged towns and villages.”
“Electric vehicles must not become the preserve of the wealthy. They are cheaper to run than petrol or diesel cars, and everyone should be entitled to make lifestyle changes which improve levels of air pollution on the streets where they live and reduce their carbon footprint.”
Terry has expressed concern at the UK government’s 2025 plans to put road tax on electric vehicles.
She said that the removal of incentives to buy electric cars “is absolutely ludicrous and signals a major step backwards for the UK, given the transport sector is still the biggest contributor to our country’s carbon dioxide emissions overall”.
Terry added: “EV sales need to increase, not decrease, and drivers, particularly those in less affluent areas, should be helped to make the switch.”
Main photo: Mia Vines Booth
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