Windsor and Maidenhead currently hold the highest proportion of electric vehicles (EVs) among all licensed vehicles in the UK, according to a new study analysing Department for Transport and DVLA data for the first quarter of 2025. With 28.7% of registered vehicles being electric, the area demonstrates the most significant regional lead in the nation’s ongoing transition to low-emission transport.
The study ranks local authorities by the share of EVs relative to total licensed vehicles, revealing a diverse mix of towns and cities leading the charge towards cleaner transport. Stockport follows closely, with 25.2% of vehicles being electric, indicating strong adoption in commuter towns within the Greater Manchester area.
Peterborough and Milton Keynes are next on the list, recording 19.9% and 16.4% EV shares respectively, both supported by local infrastructure investment and favourable conditions for EV use. Swindon (16.2%) and Slough (16.8%) benefit from their strategic locations along key commuter corridors such as the M4, which has facilitated both fleet and commuter uptake.
Suburban and residential areas like South Gloucestershire (12.8%) also report significant EV presence, in part due to higher rates of home charging availability. Large cities like Leeds and Manchester are making notable inroads, despite their dense urban environments. Leeds has seen a considerable increase, with 9.8% of vehicles now electric, up from just 0.7% five years ago. Manchester’s EV share reached 8.1%, driven by commuter and fleet adoption. Portsmouth rounds out the top ten with 7.9% EVs among licensed vehicles, supported by growing public charging facilities.
The data illustrates that access remains a key factor influencing EV adoption. Areas with accessible home charging, robust public charging networks, and suitable driving patterns present the most favourable conditions for switching to electric vehicles. This insight is also relevant to transport businesses, including private hire and taxi sectors, which are increasingly aligning with local Clean Air Zone policies and zero-emission vehicle regulations.
Contrastingly, some regions lag behind, particularly rural areas such as Blaenau Gwent and Powys, where EV ownership stands around 1% or less. These locations face challenges from longer travel distances and fewer charging options, complicating the shift to electric transport. Even in large urban centres like Birmingham, the EV share remains low at approximately 1.8%, underscoring that city size alone does not guarantee quick adoption.
On a national level, electric vehicles accounted for 23.4% of new car registrations in 2025, reflecting steady progress in the sector. However, the uneven regional distribution highlights the need for targeted infrastructure and policy measures to support EV growth across diverse geographic and demographic contexts.
Continued monitoring of these trends will be critical for local authorities and transport planners as the country advances towards its net-zero goals. The varying pace of EV uptake suggests that tailored approaches, focusing on improving access to charging and aligning regulatory frameworks, remain priorities for supporting the UK’s clean transport transition.