The electric car revolution in Britain is widening the gap between affluent and less wealthy households, with data from the DVLA revealing stark disparities in the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). In central London, particularly affluent areas, drivers are 50 times more likely to own an EV compared to those in less prosperous and remote regions. London dominates the EV market, with the top 10 postcodes for EV ownership all located in the capital, where up to 10% of privately-owned cars are electric.
Conversely, cities like Birmingham, Middlesbrough, Leeds, and Hull have notably lower rates of EV ownership, with just one in every 500 cars being electric. However, outside of London, areas such as central Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Cambridge also show a higher prevalence of privately owned EVs.
London’s strong EV market presence can be attributed to incentives like the £15 daily congestion charge and the £12.50 Ultra Low Emission Zone fee, both exempt for EVs, along with a well-established charging infrastructure. In contrast, regions with lower EV adoption cite factors such as the high cost of electric vehicles and the need for longer journeys in rural settings, where EV charging infrastructure may be limited.
The price of new EVs, averaging around £46,000, poses a significant barrier compared to the £18,500 cost of standard vehicles. While pre-owned EVs are more affordable at £22,547, they still exceed the average price of used petrol and diesel cars by 34%. The DVLA data focuses on privately-owned vehicles, noting that companies tend to have newer models and are more likely to integrate EVs into their fleets.
Out of the 33.5 million private cars in the UK, only a fraction, approximately 210,000, are electric. The divide between EV ownership reflects a disparity between those who can afford electric vehicles and those who face practical or financial constraints. Access to off-street parking and a robust charging infrastructure are key factors influencing the decision to switch to EVs, emphasizing the challenges faced by less affluent households.
For expedited news access, designate Daily Mirror as a ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News.
At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.