Electric carsare charging ahead

Ownership of electric vehicles is rising at a quicker rate in North Lanarkshire than anywhere else i n Scotland according to latest figures.

The number of electric vehicles (EVs) registered by residents in the local authority area in the third quarter of 2021 was more than double that of the same period 12 months earlier.

Between July and September 2021 the number of EVs registered in North Lanarkshire had risen by 104 per cent on the same period in 2020, that was a higher percentage rise than anywhere else in the country.

A total of 1067 were registered in the third quarter of last year, the registration figure for the corresponding period the previous year was 522.

Ultra low emission vehicles (ULEVs) registrations across the country rose by 75 per cent during that period compared to the year before.

The number of new EVs being registered to residents in the ML2 postcode area which covers Wishaw and surrounding villages rose from 40 to 86 from the third quarter of 2020 to the same quarter in 2021 – a rise of 115 per cent.

I n M o t h e r w e l l ’s M L 1 postcode the numbers went up from 99 to 211, that’s a rise of over 113 percent, and in the ML7 area covering Shotts, Harthill and Allanton ownership went up from 19 to 40 vehicles over the period, that’s over 110 per cent.

While in ML6, a geographical area that includes Airdrie, Chapelhall and Caldercruix, there were 154 new registrations compared to 68 in the same period in 2020. And in ML5, the Coatbridge and Glenboig area, the number was 97 compared to the previous year’s 50.

The Department f or Transport’s (DfT) figures show that at the end of September, 38,600 electric vehicles belonged to Scottish residents, up from 22,100 for July to September 2020.

Across Scotland, England and Wales ULEV registrations made up over 15 per cent of all new registrations in the third quarter – that equates to around 83,000 vehicles.

There were 51,000 battery powered electric cars registered, and for the first time that’s more than the number of diesel cars registered – 35,000.

Other areas in Scotland witnessing the strongest take-up of electric vehicle ownership were the Shetland Islands with 98 per cent, and Stirling with 93 per cent rises.