A NEW survey has shone a light on the varied landscape of electric vehicle adoption across Great Britain. Scots are at the forefront of the eco-friendly revolution, with Wales trailing notably.

Car finance gurus, Carmoola, highlighted an explosive surge in the popularity of Electric and Hybrid vehicles, with one electric vehicle being snapped up every 60 seconds in July. Astonishingly, Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) registrations saw a rise by a staggering 87.9% to 23,010.

According to this in-depth study, which surveyed 2,202 individuals from around Great Britain, 5% of Scots now own an electric vehicle as their main mode of transport. In stark contrast, Wales lags considerably behind, with just 1% of those questioned claiming they drive an electric vehicle.

Here’s a concise breakdown of the electric and hybrid vehicle ownership across various regions:

• Scotland: 5% electric, 4% hybrid, 8.9% charging point distribution
• East of England: 4% electric, 6% hybrid, 6.9% charging point distribution
• South East: 3% electric, 5% hybrid, 12.4% charging point distribution
• Wales: 1% electric, 2% hybrid, 4.2% charging point distribution … [Continue with other regions as needed]

Despite their evident growth, electric vehicles still remain in the minority on British roads. Only 3% of respondents drive one as their primary vehicle, and 6% opting for a hybrid.

Infrastructure, too, weaves an interesting tale. The UK boasts over 45,737 public charging points. London, despite housing 31.4% of these chargers, sees only 2% of its denizens driving electric. Surprisingly, many are opting for hybrid models.

The cost remains a significant deterrent for many contemplating the switch. While the initial price tag of electric cars may be on the steeper side, they prove to be more economical in the long haul. For example, charging an electric car on the public network in June 2023 averaged at 49p/kWh. Petrol-driven cars, on the other hand, continue to pinch pockets at £1.44 per litre.

Aidan Rushby of Carmoola opined on the findings, “The future looks promising for electric vehicles. With advancements in battery technology and more streamlined production processes, the costs associated with EVs are set to plummet. While they might currently be more expensive upfront, the long-term savings are palpable. Our survey underlines the fact that the overall cost is a major concern for drivers. Yet, as choices expand with an array of models, there’s bound to be an accelerated adoption of these environmentally friendly alternatives.”

The above statistics were collated by YouGov Plc, with a sample size of 2,272 adults. All findings have been weighted and are reflective of all GB adults (18+ years old). For a more detailed breakdown on the distribution of public UK charging points, readers can consult the Zapmap database.