Sales of privately owned electric vehicles have rocketed by 54% in the North of England, making it the fastest growing EV market in the UK, figures have shown.

As the government’s goal to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035 draws nearer, the number of EVs on our roads continues to rise rapidly, with 84,000 zero emission cars registered for the first time in Q1 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 – an increase of 11%.

With that in mind, the car insurance experts at Tiger.co.uk have crunched the numbers to reveal England’s electric vehicle hotspots.

The research – which focused on ‘pure’ electric or battery electric vehicles (BEVs) – highlighted the stark geographical divide in electric vehicle ownership, with the South of England accounting for over half (53%) of the total number of privately owned BEVs in the UK. By comparison, only 19% of BEVs are registered in the North of England.

This north/south disparity can be attributed to several factors, including the South of England having a higher concentration of urban areas – ideal environments for EVs – and a more robust network of charging stations, making it easier for EV owners to top up their batteries.

The high initial cost of purchasing an EV can also be a major barrier to ownership for residents in the North of England, who typically have lower incomes on average than their counterparts in the south.

However, the research by Tiger.co.uk also revealed that the number of privately owned BEVs in the North of England has risen faster than in any other part of the country. Between Q2 2023 and Q2 2024, the number of registered EVs grew by an average of 54% in the North, compared to just 36.5% on average across the South of England during the same period.

Increase in EV ownership by UK region

Region

Q2 2024

Q2 2023

% increase

North East

14,538

9,381

55%

Yorkshire and The Humber

31,428

20,323

55%

North West

41,977

27,631

52%

East Midlands

33,113

21,935

50%

West Midlands

34,052

22,742

50%

Wales

15,927

11,040

44%

Scotland

38,613

26,952

43%

Northern Ireland

6,401

4,498

42%

East

51,238

36,511

40%

South East

88,221

64,139

38%

South West

43,860

32,397

35%

London

61,939

46,451

33%

UK (all regions)

461,418

324,035

42%

Meanwhile, England’s local council areas with highest and lowest numbers of privately-owned electric vehicles have also been revealed – with Buckinghamshire coming out on top. Click here to see the list in full.

Although 2024 was a record year for switching to electric – demand is still relatively slow, with licensed zero emission vehicles representing just 2.7% of all (fleet and privately owned) vehicles on the road.

Furthermore, a recent survey has shown that 57% of Britons have no plans to switch to electric vehicles, with 14% saying they planned to change just before the ban. Only six percent of respondents already own an electric vehicle.

Ian Wilson, car insurance expert and Managing Director at Tiger.co.uk said: “It is encouraging to see that private ownership of pure EVs in the UK increased by 42% in the year up to Q2 2024.

“There are many advantages to switching to an electric vehicle. Not only will you be doing your bit to help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint, but you will also benefit financially from access to government grants to help with the transition, lower running costs and lower fuel costs.

“Eight of 10 people surveyed said switching to an electric car was saving them money, with 20% of respondents saving at least £100 each month.

“That being said, there is still an understandable reluctance among many people to make the switch. While there has been considerable investment recently in the EV infrastructure, the initial upfront cost of purchasing the vehicle can be prohibitive. The lack of public charging points in certain areas and the low mileage range are also real concerns for many people.

“With the high cost of living continuing to squeeze household budgets, it is not surprising that the idea of switching to an electric vehicle is not on the radar for most people at this time.”