- London, Nottingham, and Bedford emerge as the UK’s top cities driving the transition to an electric vehicle (EV) future.
- Data from Motorway.co.uk reveals London and Bristol lead in EV sales, while Hounslow and Brighton boast the most advanced charging infrastructure.
- With the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars looming, Motorway’s EV Index helps motorists stay informed about the cities making EV adoption easier.
27 January 2023 – As the UK accelerates toward a greener future, used-car marketplace Motorway has unveiled its top 10 EV-friendly cities. London and Nottingham take the lead, with the capital paving the way as the top city for EV adoption. The report comes amidst a surge in EV sales, with used EV transactions increasing by an impressive 44.1% in Q3 2022.*
London tops the list, with EVs making up nearly 25% of new and used car sales and an impressive 8,600 public charging points. However, when ranked for charger availability, the city drops to 15th, with one charger for every 1,672 people. Nottingham claims second place thanks to robust clean air policies and a growing EV infrastructure. Bedford takes third, standing out for its ambitious net-zero strategy and extensive public charging network.
Top 10 UK Cities for Electric Vehicles
- London
- Nottingham
- Bedford
- Manchester
- Newcastle upon Tyne
- Milton Keynes
- Bristol
- Oxford
- Coventry
- Southampton
EV Hotspots and Growing Infrastructure
The research highlights Newcastle upon Tyne as an emerging EV hotspot, with more electric cars sold in 2022 than any other UK city. Hounslow and Brighton lead the way in charging infrastructure, boasting the best charger-to-population ratios in the country.
As the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars approaches, EV readiness has become a key focus for many cities. Beyond their environmental benefits, EVs offer economic advantages that appeal to cost-conscious Brits. Drivers can save up to £650 annually on fuel and road tax** compared to traditional vehicles.
Alex Buttle, Co-Founder of Motorway, Comments:
“As the shift to electric vehicles gathers momentum, the infrastructure in place can play a big role in helping car owners decide when to make the switch. With this comprehensive index, we aim to spotlight the cities that are leading the charge in EV adoption.
“We hope this list becomes even more competitive in the coming years, driving improvements in infrastructure and affordability to make it easier for everyone to embrace a greener future.”
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For a detailed look at the UK’s most EV-friendly cities, visit Motorway.co.uk/best-ev-cities.
Notes to Editors:
Used EV sales growth figure from SMMT Q3 2022 Report.
**EVs remain exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty until 1 April 2025.