Stirling charges into the top 10

New research has revealed the top 10 UK areas with the most electric vehicles - and green-conscious Stirling features in seventh place with 2,785 licenced per 100,000 people.

The team at Driveelectric has looked at the number of green spaces, electric vehicles, energy consumption, CO2 emissions, and other factors to reveal the UK’S greenest areas, as well as the least green areas.

The study also looked at the UK areas with the most and the fewest public EV charging devices.

The research revealed the following about Stirling:

There are 158 public EV charging devices in Stirling per 100,000 residents.

In 2022, there were 63,623 ICE (internal combustion engine vehicle) licenced vehicles per 100,000 people in Stirling – the 21st most in the UK.

Top of the list was Westminster with 6,129 electric vehicles per 100,000 of the population.

Stirling is one of two Scottish places in the top 10, with Renfrewshire fourth with 3,667 EVS per 100,000 of the population.

Stirling Council Environment, Transport and Net Zero Convener, Cllr Jen Preston, said:“we’re incredibly proud that Stirling is placed in the top ten areas across the UK for electric vehicle ownership.

“We’ve taken a proactive approach to invest in relevant infrastructure to support drivers in making the decision to switch to electric vehicles as demand has increased across the country.

“We currently have one of the most comprehensive networks of EV charging facilities in the country with 181 charge points in Stirling, and plan to deliver a further 51 this coming year.

“Through its Climate and Nature Emergency Plan and its associated commitment to recognising the global threat posed by climate change, Stirling Council is committed to achieving net zero by 2035 and help the area become net zero by 2045.”

Stirling Council currently owns a fleet of 78 electric vehicles and 498 petrol/diesel vehicles.

Green councillor Alasdair Tollemache is encouraged with the news but feels much work has still to be done.

He said:“it’s very pleasing to see Stirling Council doing so well with the number of EV charging units in the area.

“In many other areas I visit when driving my electric car, the number of charging units is poor and often the units are not working.

“If we are going to achieve the number of EVS on our roads to replace the polluting diesel and petrol cars we need to do more to encourage EV usage.

“The move to give loans for second hand EVS is a start but we have a long way to go if as a country we are going to meet our targets.“