Electric cars are powering up

THE number of privately-owned purely electric vehicles on UK roads has increased by 53 per cent in just 12 months, according to new analysis.

Some 86,130 vehicles were licensed as of the end of September last year, compared with 56,393 at the same point in 2019.

Four of the 10 local authority areas with the largest number of privately licensed battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are in London, led by Barnet with 1,235.

Wiltshire has the second highest number (1,075 vehicles), followed by Westminster in central London (919), Cornwall (899), and Camden, north London (781). The areas with the smallest number of BEVs – apart from some islands communities and the City of London – are in South Wales.

Merthyr Tydfil has just 21 of the vehicles, while Blaenau Gwent has 27.

The figures are based on RAC analysis of Government data.

The sale of new petrol and diesel-fuelled cars and vans will be banned in the UK from 2030.

RAC data insight spokesman Rod Dennis said: “The growth in pure electric vehicles is extremely promising.

“There is a long way to go, not least as only half of these vehicles are in private hands, compared to nine in 10 of all cars, but it’s clear that the numbers are only going one way.

“It’s important that the environmental and financial benefits afforded by the switch to electric cars are shared by drivers right across the country.

“Our analysis shows the extent to which the south and east of England currently dominate when it comes to numbers.”