The UK’s electric vehicle (EV) penetration rate reached 25% of all new passenger car and light-duty vehicle sales last year, according to new data from Rho Motion.
This means the UK has a higher EV penetration rate than other European countries such as France (22%), Germany (19%) and Spain (10%), and well ahead of Australia (10%) and the United States. (10%).
However, it still has a long way to go to catch up with countries such as Belgium (38% EV penetration), the Netherlands (40%) and the Nordic countries – including Finland (45%), Denmark (51%), Sweden (54% and Norway (80%). In Asia, China has an EV penetration rate of 45%.
Regional EV penetration
On a regional basis, EV uptake is strongest in London, with Westminster boasting EV penetration of 81%, Hillingdon at 54%, the City of London at 45% and Hammersmith & Fulham at 44%. This has largely been driven by policy measures such as the congestion charge and the Ultra Low Emission Zone, which have incentivised drivers to switch to electric vehicles.
Outside of London, Leeds is a strong performer, with an EV penetration rate of 44% – the city has taken steps to promote EV adoption, including the rollout of extensive charging infrastructure across the city.
Elsewhere, Manchester boasts an EV penetration rate of 23%, Liverpool has a rate of 15%, Newcastle is on 17%, Birmingham 14%, Cardiff 16%, Edinburgh 18%, Glasgow 12%, and Belfast 28%.
National average
‘Most cities fall below the national level, with some still just half of the 25% – showing more needs to be done to reach the highest levels of EV adoption via local support and enablement,’ Rho Motion said. ‘Furthermore, the challenge will increase once high-achieving areas reach saturation and have a lesser effect on pulling up the national average.’
The UK has seen sales of EVs rise 31% between January and August of this year, with government policies playing a role in boosting sales, including the reintroduction of a subsidy scheme in July aimed at supporting lower-priced vehicles. Read more here.
