Rural motorists are taking the gradual highway when switching to electrical automobiles

Drivers in parts of the UK are showing much less interest in buying an electric vehicle (EV) than elsewhere as they believe making the switch from petrol and diesel is ‘riskier and less practical’, according to analysis.

A report by online vehicle marketplace Autotrader highlighted Scotland and south-west England as ‘in danger of being left behind’ in the UK’s transition to electric motoring.

An average of 31.2 per cent of the company’s users viewed at least one EV advert in the past 90 days, but the figure varies widely between regions.

Postcodes in Scotland and the South West feature heavily in the bottom ten areas for lowest interest.

The postcode area with the smallest share of Autotrader users who have viewed an EV was KW in Wick, Scotland, at 21.4 per cent.

At the other end of the scale, WA in Warrington, Cheshire had the highest share at 35.9 per cent.

Ian Plummer, chief customer officer at Autotrader, said: ‘We’re seeing notably lower levels of EV interest in regions like the South West and Scotland, which reflects deeper structural challenges rather than a lack of appetite for cleaner transport.

‘These areas have more rural communities and longer average driving distances, all of which make switching to electric feel riskier and less practical for drivers – even though that’s not necessarily the case.

Postcodes in Scotland and south-west England feature heavily in the bottom ten areas for lowest interest in electric vehicles, according to Autotrader

‘Both regions have more rapid chargers per head than the UK overall.’

Autotrader said total views of its EV adverts were 28 per cent higher last year compared with 2024.

It attributed the growing demand for EVs to factors such as: the number of electric car brands in the UK rising from about 40 before the coronavirus pandemic to 72; the Government’s electric car grant, which provides a discount of up to £3,750 off the price of a new EV; and discounting by manufacturers.

But the report warned of a ‘two-speed road to 2030’, which is when the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans will be banned in the UK.

Mr Plummer added: ‘If we’re serious about nationwide progress, we need to bring everybody with us rather than entrenching economic divides.

‘In practice, this means widening the scope of the electric car grant to the used market.

‘At the same time the Government needs to rethink its policy on taxing EVs.

‘Introducing pay per mile charging sends mixed messages to consumers which risks delaying the UK’s transition at a time when only around 5 per cent of cars on UK roads are electric.’

Autotrader said its EV research ‘reflects deeper structural challenges rather than a lack of appetite for cleaner transport’

The Government is consulting on plans to charge drivers of battery electric cars 3p per mile from April 2028.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: ‘With two-in-five used EVs now under £20,000, going electric is becoming more affordable for more families.

‘EVs can be up to £1,400 a year cheaper to run and offer a smooth driving experience, which is why nine in ten drivers who switch say they would recommend an EV.’

– Here are the 10 postcode areas with lowest share of Autotrader users who have viewed an EV advert in the past 90 days.