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Leading the Charge: Top 10 UK cities for EV growth
Discover the top UK cities leading the charge for EV growth, ranked by charger availability, charging speed, and other key adoption metrics.
Leading the Charge: Top 10 UK cities for EV growth
As the UK accelerates its journey towards net zero, electric vehicles (or EVs) are becoming the defining feature of modern transportation.Some cities are powering ahead more quickly than others. London, for instance, already offers over 24,000 charging points, while Dundee leads the way on accessibility with 222 chargers per 100,000 people.
In this guide, Stellantis &You reveals the UK’s top 10 cities leading the charge for EV growth. Using data on charger availability, accessibility, speed, and adoption metrics, we spotlight the places setting the pace for cleaner, greener transport. It’s worth noting that some metrics will be more important to different groups of people, for instance having free public chargers over fast chargers. Whether you’re already driving electric or considering your first EV, these cities provide a glimpse of how the future of sustainable travel is unfolding across the country.
Best UK Cities Overall
| Rank | City | EV Chargers | 50kW EV Chargers | Free-to-charger EV Chargers | EV Chargers per 100,00 People | EV Chargers per 25,000 Households | % of 50kW EV Chargers | % of Free EV Chargers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dundee | 328 | 108 | 4 | 222 | 117 | 32.93% | 1.22% |
| 2 | London | 24419 | 1431 | 43 | 323 | 178 | 5.86% | 0.18% |
| 3 | Aberdeen | 270 | 93 | 6 | 137 | 62 | 34.44% | 2.22% |
| 3 | Manchester | 536 | 118 | 8 | 136 | 62 | 22.01% | 1.49% |
| 5 | Glasgow | 835 | 256 | 2 | 141 | 71 | 30.66% | 0.24% |
| 6 | Edinburgh | 714 | 146 | 3 | 154 | 75 | 20.45% | 0.42% |
| 7 | Leeds | 690 | 141 | 4 | 152 | 51 | 20.43% | 0.58% |
| 8 | Nottingham | 311 | 112 | 4 | 43 | 62 | 36.01% | 1.29% |
| 9 | Bradford | 313 | 118 | 2 | 105 | 37 | 37.70% | 0.64% |
| 10 | Birmingham | 1264 | 223 | 1 | 128 | 75 | 17.64% | 0.08% |
Cities Racing Towards an Electric Future
When comparing overall performance, several UK cities stand out as leaders in providing EV charging infrastructure. These rankings take into account charger availability, share of rapid chargers, and overall accessibility meaning a comprehensive measure of EV readiness.
London ranks second overall, and while its 24,419 chargers far outstrip every other UK city, its density figures are surprisingly lower due to its huge population base. The capital’s extensive investment has dramatically increased, particularly across central boroughs. The relatively small share of rapid chargers (around 6%) suggests future expansion is likely to focus on boosting charging speeds to match demand from a dense commuter population.
Best Cities For Fast Charging
Access to rapid chargers is a critical factor in EV adoption, allowing drivers to charge quickly and conveniently. The cities leading in this category highlight where infrastructure has been geared most toward high-speed access. Derby comes first, with 86 rapid chargers — nearly half of its total EV charging network. This is an exceptional ratio, and it signals focused investment in commuter convenience. Derby’s strong transport links and proximity to the automotive industry may also explain why rapid charging has been prioritised here.
Bristol ranks second with 79 rapid chargers, representing over 40% of its entire network. Known for its green credentials and active environmental policies, Bristol’s strategy of prioritising rapid charging aligns with its sustainability ambitions. However, the relatively small overall network size compared to major hubs shows there is room for growth.Stoke-on-Trent takes third place with 62 rapid chargers — nearly 39% of its network. This comes after a recent investment of over £750,000 to build new smart chargers. As a smaller, more urban area, the strong proportion of rapid points indicates that local councils are ensuring charging solutions are practical for residents and visitors alike. These cities stand out for prioritising convenience and speed, a sign that councils are aware that the transition to EVs requires not just volume but also high-performance infrastructure.
| Rank | City | 50kW EV Chargers | % of 50kW EV Chargers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Derby | 86 | 45.03% |
| 2 | Bristol | 79 | 41.80% |
| 3 | Stoke-on-Trent | 62 | 38.99% |
| 4 | Wolverhampton | 33 | 38.82% |
| 5 | Bradford | 118 | 37.70% |
| 6 | Nottingham | 112 | 36.01% |
| 7 | Aberdeen | 93 | 34.44% |
| 8 | Cardiff | 77 | 33.48% |
| 9 | Dundee | 108 | 32.93% |
| 10 | Leicester | 64 | 32.82% |
Best Cities for Free Charging
Free-to-use charging points can be an important incentive in encouraging early EV adoption. A handful of UK cities stand out for providing drivers with greater accessibility at no cost. Newcastle leads this ranking with 14 free-to-charge points, making up nearly 5.5% of its total EV charging network. With government funding and regional investment of north of £63 million, it’s no surprise that Newcastle-based residents are benefitting from greater charger accessibility.
Stoke-on-Trent is second, with 7 free chargers. Although this is a very small proportion of its total network of 159 chargers, it makes up nearly 4.5% of the total number of chargers. Proportionately, it’s offering over double the amount of free charging than major cities like Manchester (1.49) in terms of percentage. It’s clear that free charging, as a concept, hasn’t fully caught on nationally, but the leading cities show how targeted incentives can drive adoption and improve accessibility, particularly in areas focusing on commuter needs.
| Rank | City | Free-to-charge EV Chargers | % of Free EV Chargers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newcastle-upon Tyne | 14 | 5.47% |
| 2 | Stoke-on-Trent | 7 | 4.40% |
| 3 | Derry | 1 | 2.94% |
| 4 | Aberdeen | 6 | 2.22% |
| 5 | York | 3 | 1.76% |
| 6 | Manchester | 8 | 1.49% |
| 7 | Nottingham | 4 | 1.29% |
| 8 | Dundee | 4 | 1.22% |
| 9 | Wolverhampton | 1 | 1.18% |
| 10 | Kingston-upon-Hull | 2 | 1.15% |
Best Cities Based on Chargers to Density
Measuring EV chargers relative to population and households reveals where networks are most accessible. This highlights not only scale but also efficiency in deployment. Coventry stands out dramatically, with a staggering 718 chargers per 100,000 people - by far the highest ratio in the country and nearly double London in second place.
With a population lower than London and boasting the second-highest number of chargers (2,578), it’s easy to see why Coventry leads the accessibility leaderboard. London ranks second, with 323 EV chargers per 100,000 people. London has 24,419 EV chargers; however, its population dwarfs Coventry, being over 30 times higher. This drastically affected its density score.These results show that smaller cities can outperform much larger ones when measured in relative terms, suggesting that EV readiness is not only about total numbers but also about accessibility.
| Rank | City | EV Chargers Per 100,000 People | EV Chargers Per 25,000 Households |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coventry | 718 | 480 |
| 2 | London | 323 | 178 |
| 3 | Dundee | 222 | 117 |
| 3 | Edinburgh | 154 | 75 |
| 5 | Plymouth | 135 | 77 |
| 6 | Glasgow | 141 | 71 |
| 7 | Wrexham | 180 | 51 |
| 7 | Manchester | 136 | 62 |
| 7 | Birmingham | 128 | 75 |
| 7 | Swansea | 105 | 75 |
Cities Needing the Most EV Growth
| Rank | City | EV Chargers | 50kW EV Chargers | Free-to-charger EV Chargers | EV Chargers per 100,00 People | EV Chargers per 25,000 Households | % of 50kW EV Chargers | % of Free EV Chargers | Expected Growth 2025-2030 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southampton | 119 | 21 | 1 | 48 | 29 | 17.65% | 0.84% | 56.50% |
| 2 | Derry | 34 | 8 | 1 | 39 | 14 | 23.53% | 2.94% | 40.40% |
| 3 | Bristol | 189 | 79 | 0 | 31 | 25 | 41.80% | 0.00% | 29.50% |
| 4 | Belfast | 180 | 38 | 1 | 66 | 30 | 21.11% | 0.56% | 102.40% |
| 5 | Wrexham | 118 | 28 | 0 | 180 | 51 | 23.73% | 0.00% | 50.40% |
| 6 | Wolverhampton | 85 | 33 | 1 | 34 | 20 | 38.82% | 1.18% | 76.40% |
| 7 | Portsmouth | 183 | 28 | 1 | 94 | 53 | 15.30% | 0.55% | 54.50% |
| 8 | Kingston-upon-Hull | 174 | 39 | 2 | 55 | 38 | 22.41% | 1.15% | 88.40% |
| 9 | Liverpool | 618 | 53 | 0 | 72 | 74 | 8.58% | 0.00% | 98.10% |
| 10 | Leicester | 195 | 64 | 1 | 38 | 38 | 32.82% | 0.51% | 90.10% |
Not every city is yet well positioned for the EV transition. Some cities may not have the funding or the drive to invest in EV charging infrastructure, but this could change over time. Southampton ranks lowest, with just 119 chargers across the city. That equates to only 48 per 100,000 people. While it has 21 rapid chargers, the network remains underdeveloped, limiting accessibility. The city’s role as a major port and transport hub suggests this gap may become more pressing in the coming years.
Surprisingly, Bristol is third, with 189 chargers. Despite its green reputation, this equates to just 31 per 100,000 people, which is significantly lower than other leading cities. The high proportion of rapid chargers (over 40%) indicates good quality, but without scaling volume, the city risks falling behind. These findings underline how even cities with strong environmental ambitions may face infrastructure shortfalls without continued investment.
Cities That Have Had the Most EV Growth 2020–2025
| Rank | City | Jul-20 | Jul-21 | Jul-22 | Jul-23 | Jul-24 | Jul-25 | Change 2020-2025 (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coventry | 203 | 456 | 502 | 1223 | 2084 | 2578 | 1170.0% |
| 2 | Birmingham | 103 | 134 | 326 | 472 | 583 | 1264 | 1127.2% |
| 3 | Swansea | 37 | 53 | 96 | 134 | 215 | 316 | 754.1% |
| 3 | Newport | 28 | 49 | 72 | 127 | 170 | 210 | 650.0% |
| 5 | Edinburgh | 113 | 128 | 180 | 312 | 523 | 714 | 513.9% |
| 6 | Kingston-upon-Hull | 28 | 34 | 54 | 71 | 124 | 174 | 521.4% |
| 7 | Stoke-on-Trent | 29 | 38 | 42 | 60 | 115 | 159 | 448.3% |
| 8 | Wrexham | 22 | 30 | 39 | 47 | 45 | 118 | 436.4% |
| 9 | Plymouth | 67 | 74 | 112 | 157 | 208 | 351 | 423.9% |
| 10 | Glasgow | 174 | 199 | 277 | 342 | 637 | 835 | 379.9% |
Looking at recent growth provides insight into which places have made the biggest strides in the last five years. Coventry tops the list, growing from 203 chargers in 2020 to 2,578 in 2025; an extraordinary 11-fold increase. Its heritage as the UK’s motor industry heartland makes this rise fitting, with strong investment also making it a hub for EVs. Birmingham comes second, with growth from 103 chargers in 2020 to 1,264 in 2025. As the UK’s second-largest city and a key commuter hub, this expansion reflects both a desire from political bodies to improve infrastructure and a necessity because of rising populations.
Swansea is third, rising from 37 chargers in 2020 to 316 in 2025. While the total is lower than major cities, the relative increase is one of the highest across the country. This suggests Wales is taking EV rollout seriously, with Swansea leading as an example. These rapid expansions demonstrate that historic investment and political ambition can accelerate infrastructure growth significantly in just a few years.
Cities Expected to Have the Most EV Growth in 2025–2030
| Rank | City | Jul-26 | Jul-27 | Jul-28 | Jul-29 | Jul-30 | Change 2025-2030 (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edinburgh | 906 | 109 | 1291 | 1483 | 1676 | 134.7% |
| 2 | Coventry | 3107 | 3636 | 4165 | 4693 | 5222 | 102.6% |
| 3 | Belfast | 225 | 260 | 295 | 330 | 364 | 102.4% |
| 4 | Liverpool | 757 | 874 | 991 | 1108 | 1224 | 98.1% |
| 5 | Newport | 249 | 289 | 328 | 367 | 407 | 93.7% |
| 6 | Swansea | 370 | 428 | 486 | 545 | 603 | 90.8% |
| 7 | Leicester | 250 | 255 | 311 | 315 | 371 | 90.1% |
| 8 | Manchester | 630 | 727 | 824 | 921 | 1018 | 90.0% |
| 9 | Kingston-upon-Hull | 203 | 234 | 265 | 297 | 328 | 88.4% |
| 10 | Stoke-on-Trent | 185 | 213 | 240 | 268 | 296 | 86.1% |
The 'predicted' figures are based on the previous growth over the years.
Looking ahead, this data shows when the next wave of EV infrastructure expansion is expected to occur. Edinburgh is predicted to more than double its network, from 906 chargers in 2026 to 1,676 by 2030. This represents a 134% rise, cementing its position as a leader in Scotland and the UK overall. Coventry remains central to the EV story, with growth projected from 3,107 chargers in 2026 to 5,222 by 2030, a 103% increase. Already a frontrunner, Coventry’s sustained growth ensures it will stay at the forefront of the UK’s EV infrastructure boom. This projected growth highlights that cities already leading will continue to pull ahead, but new contenders will emerge as important players in the EV transition.
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Methodology
- Household and population data for cities in England and Wales were sourced from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
- Household figures for Scottish cities were taken from the Scotland’s Census.
- Household figures for Northern Irish cities were taken from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA).
- Data on the number of EV charging points, including total chargers and those delivering 50kW and above, was collected from the Department for Transport’s interactive map. This information was analysed at the local authority level for each listed city.
- Data on the availability of free-to-use EV charging points in each city was obtained from ChargeFinder.