Northern Ireland has ‘worst access to electric vehicle chargers’, study finds

Northern Ireland’s top local authorities with the least eco-friendly drivers have been revealed.

Fermanagh and Omagh takes the top spot with the lowest percentage of environmentally friendly vehicles.

In the third quarter of 2023, this area had 514 ultra-low emission vehicles compared to 92,100 with all fuel types, equating to only 0.56% of all vehicles.

Mid Ulster is the second worst local authority for sustainable drivers with 777 ultra-low emission licenced vehicles. There are 113,200 licenced vehicles in the area, 0.69% of which are battery-powered, plug-in hybrid or other electric vehicles.

The study, conducted by accident compensation experts Claims.co.uk, examined the number of ultra-low emission licensed vehicles in each U.K. local authority, according to the most recent data collected in the third quarter of 2023 from GOV.UK.

The percentage of ultra-low emission vehicles was then compared against the number of all licensed vehicles to determine the local authorities with the least eco-friendly drivers in 2024.

Causeway Coast and Glens and Derry City and Strabane rank in joint-fourth, with 0.79% of all licensed vehicles being environmentally friendly. Causeway Coast and Glens has 789 ultra-low emission vehicles, while Derry City and Strabane has 754.

Newry, Mourne and Down is the fifth worst local authority for eco-friendly drivers. There are 127,100 licensed vehicles in the Northern Ireland local authority. Out of these, 1,075 are ultra-low emission vehicles, making up 0.85% of all vehicles.

Barrow-in-Furness in England and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon rank in joint-seventh place, with 0.97% of all licensed vehicles being ultra-low emission vehicles. Barrow-in-Furness has 363 battery-powered, plug-in or other electric vehicles, while the ABC area has 1,478.

In joint-eighth place, Mid and East Antrim has 977 ultra-low emission vehicles, and Merthyr Tydfil in Wales has 321. As such, 0.98% of all licensed vehicles are electric in both local authorities.

A spokesperson for Claims.co.uk said: “Electric vehicles save more than three times the amount of carbon emissions than petrol cars. This study has highlighted the local authorities with the lowest percentage of electric vehicles to fuel-based vehicles, with the least environmentally friendly being found in Fermanagh and Omagh, Mid Ulster and Blaenau Gwent in Wales.

“It is interesting to see mostly Northern Irish, Welsh and Scottish local authorities in the top ten worst locations for environmentally conscious drivers. In 2024, Zap-Map recorded 18,628 electric vehicle charging stations in Greater London compared to only 4,696 in Scotland.

“Therefore, with a greater emphasis on funding electric vehicle charging stations in Northern England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, these areas may become more accessible for electric vehicle drivers in the future.”

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In a statement, a Department for Infrastructure (DfI) spokesperson said: “There are currently over 500 public charge points across Northern Ireland and this number is increasing on a continual basis with a 50% increase shown since 2021.

“Publicly accessible EV charge points are provided and operated on a commercial basis by a range of charge point operators in Northern Ireland. The market is also open to other commercial operators who would wish to provide charging infrastructure.

“UK Government funding opportunities for the installation of charge point infrastructure are provided by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles.

“Following the receipt of funding from the Levelling Up Fund to expand and enhance its EV charging, ESB announced that it will be replacing all existing Fast and Rapid EV chargers, doubling the existing number of rapid chargers and delivering five high power charging (150kW) hubs in strategic locations, with work due for completion by the end of 2024.

“The Department established an EV Infrastructure Task-Force bringing together representatives from government, consumers, energy providers, industry and EV drivers to consider our EV Infrastructure requirements. It is taking forward a number of actions aimed at delivering a fit for purpose, modern EV charging network.”