England’s council areas with the highest and lowest numbers of privately owned electric vehicles have been revealed – with Buckinghamshire coming out on top.
As the government’s goal to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035 draws nearer, the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on our roads continues to rise rapidly. Eighty-four thousand zero-emission cars were 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 determine England’s top ten electric vehicle hotspots and the ten areas with the lowest EV adoption.
The research focused on ‘pure’ electric or battery electric vehicles (BEVs) – and highlighted a stark geographical divide in electric vehicle ownership, with most of the top ten council areas in Southern England or the Midlands.
Over half of the top ten list comprises council areas from Southern England. Buckinghamshire Council in the South East was the clear winner, with 7,433 registered BEVs as of Q2 2024.
At the other end of the scale, seven of the ten council areas with the lowest EV ownership are in Northern England. The local authority with the smallest registered BEVs is Barrow-in-Furness in the North West, with just 229.
Ten Council Areas With the Highest Number of Privately Owned Battery Electric Vehicles
Council Area |
Region |
Number of Registered Pure Electric Vehicles |
| Buckinghamshire | South East | 7,433 |
| Wiltshire | South West | 4,725 |
| Leeds | Yorkshire | 4,493 |
| Cheshire East | North West | 4,411 |
| Cornwall | South West | 3,927 |
| Birmingham | West Midlands | 3,725 |
| West Northamptonshire | East Midlands | 3,354 |
| Central Bedfordshire | East | 3,282 |
| Bromley | London | 3,235 |
| Dorset | South West | 3,233 |
Ten Council Areas With the Lowest Number of Privately Owned Battery Electric Vehicles
Council Area |
Region |
Number of Registered Pure Electric Vehicles |
| Barrow-in-Furness | North West | 229 |
| Boston | East Midlands | 268 |
| Hyndburn | North West | 286 |
| Richmondshire | Yorkshire | 291 |
| Burnley | North West | 317 |
| Eden | North West | 341 |
| Copeland | North West | 346 |
| Hastings | South East | 346 |
| Pendle | North West | 354 |
| Lincoln | East Midlands | 355 |
England accounts for a staggering 98.6% of all privately owned BEVs in the UK, with the South East having by far the largest market with 88,221 registered in the region. By comparison, the North East has just 14,538 registered in private ownership.
This disparity can be attributed to several factors, including Southern England’s higher concentration of urban areas—ideal environments for EVs—and a more robust network of charging stations, which makes it easier for EV owners to top up their batteries.
The high initial cost of purchasing an EV can also be a significant barrier to ownership for residents in the North of England, who typically have lower incomes on average than their counterparts in the South.
However, research carried out by Tiger.co.uk has also shown that the number of privately owned EVs in the North of England has risen faster than in any other part of the country.
Between Q2 2023 and Q2 2024, registered EVs grew by 55% in the North East and Yorkshire, while the North West rose by 52%. That is compared to an increase of just 38% in the South East, 35% in the South West and 33% in London 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% |
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 per cent 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 ten people surveyed said switching to an electric car saved them money, with 20% of respondents saving at least £ 0 each month.
“That being said, many people still have an understandable reluctance 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 real concerns for many people.
“With the high cost of living continuing to squeeze household budgets, it is unsurprising that the idea of switching to an electric vehicle is not on the radar for most people now.”