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East Ayrshire motoring statistics

How many cars and electric cars are registered in East Ayrshire, which fuels they use, how many public chargers there are and how East Ayrshire compares with Scotland. From DVLA licensing records, DfT charger statistics and ONS population estimates.

Last updated
Records analysed
74,734 licensed vehicles in East Ayrshire
Methodology
View methodology
  • Licensed cars 60,518 +0.7% on a year earlier
  • Private cars per 1,000 people 469 UK 444
  • Battery electric cars 2,206 3.6% of cars (UK 5.8%)
  • Electric share of private cars 3.1% 172nd highest of 361 councils
  • Public chargers 278 229 per 100,000 people (UK 175)
  • Company-registered cars 6.0% UK 10.0%

How many cars are there in East Ayrshire?

There were 60,518 licensed cars in East Ayrshire at the end of June 2026, and 74,734 licensed vehicles of all kinds. That is 14.4% more cars than in 2010. Privately kept cars work out at 469 for every 1,000 residents, 139th lowest of 361 councils (UK 444).

Licensed vehicles in East Ayrshire

Counts at the end of March each year, 2010 to 2026.

Licensed cars and vehicles in East Ayrshire at the end of March each year
Year All vehiclesCars
2010 63,15652,904
2011 63,08952,937
2012 63,82753,082
2013 63,98453,599
2014 65,01254,323
2015 65,68755,132
2016 66,23455,489
2017 67,70256,345
2018 69,12957,178
2019 70,81257,660
2020 70,44557,475
2021 72,39058,585
2022 72,07458,248
2023 72,12758,777
2024 72,92359,467
2025 74,04060,113
2026 74,73460,518

Source:DfT / DVLA End of June 2026 Updated

Licensed vehicles by type

Source:DfT / DVLA End of June 2026 Updated

Cars per 1,000 residents

All licensed cars at the end of June, divided by the ONS mid-year population. Company fleets registered locally push this up.

Cars per 1,000 residents at mid-year, East Ayrshire compared
Year East AyrshireScotlandUnited Kingdom
2011 432429–
2012 433430–
2013 438436–
2014 446443–
2015 453446473
2016 456450480
2017 465457488
2018 473461490
2019 477465493
2020 478462489
2021 486469493
2022 484466489
2023 486465489
2024 490468490

Source:ONS Mid-2024 Updated

Petrol, diesel and electric cars in East Ayrshire

55.9% of cars in East Ayrshire run on petrol and 29.4% on diesel. Diesel’s share peaked at 43.5% in 2019. Hybrids that do not plug in make up 8.9%, and cars that plug in 5.3%.

Cars by fuel type

Source:DfT / DVLA End of June 2026 Updated

Fuel mix over time

Share of licensed cars at the end of March each year.

Share of licensed cars by fuel type in East Ayrshire, end of March each year
Year PetrolDieselHybridBattery electricPlug-in hybrid
2010 71.2%28.5%0.1%0.0%0.0%
2011 69.1%30.6%0.1%0.0%0.0%
2012 67.5%32.2%0.2%0.0%0.0%
2013 65.7%34.0%0.2%0.0%0.0%
2014 63.3%36.3%0.3%0.0%0.0%
2015 61.1%38.4%0.3%0.0%0.0%
2016 58.9%40.6%0.3%0.0%0.0%
2017 57.3%42.0%0.4%0.1%0.1%
2018 55.9%43.3%0.5%0.1%0.1%
2019 55.4%43.5%0.7%0.1%0.1%
2020 55.4%43.4%0.8%0.2%0.2%
2021 55.4%42.5%1.4%0.4%0.2%
2022 55.7%40.8%2.1%0.8%0.3%
2023 56.2%38.9%2.9%1.1%0.4%
2024 56.6%36.2%4.4%1.7%0.6%
2025 56.7%32.8%6.4%2.6%1.0%
2026 55.9%29.4%8.9%3.6%1.7%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of June 2026 Updated

Electric cars in East Ayrshire

2,206 battery electric cars were licensed in East Ayrshire at the end of June 2026, 3.6% of all cars, 153rd lowest of 361 councils. With plug-in hybrids, 3,223 cars plug in. A year earlier there were 1,555.

Of the privately kept cars, which are registered at home addresses, 3.1% are battery electric (1,747 cars), 15th lowest of 32 councils in Scotland. Companies keep 20.8% of the area’s battery electric cars, against 6.0% of its cars overall. There are also 97 battery electric vans.

Battery electric share of licensed cars

End of March each year. Fleet re-registrations can move a single area’s line sharply.

Battery electric share of licensed cars, East Ayrshire compared, end of March each year
Year East AyrshireScotlandUnited Kingdom
2016 0.0%0.1%0.1%
2017 0.1%0.1%0.1%
2018 0.1%0.1%0.1%
2019 0.1%0.2%0.2%
2020 0.2%0.3%0.4%
2021 0.4%0.7%0.8%
2022 0.8%1.2%1.5%
2023 1.1%1.9%2.3%
2024 1.7%2.5%3.2%
2025 2.6%3.4%4.4%
2026 3.6%4.5%5.8%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of June 2026 Updated

Public EV chargers in East Ayrshire

There were 278 public chargers in East Ayrshire on 1 July 2026, 77 of them rapid or ultra-rapid (50kW and above). That is 229 for every 100,000 residents, 62nd highest of 361 councils, against 175 across the UK. The count rose 5.7% from 1 January 2026.

For every public charger there are 9.6 privately kept plug-in cars in East Ayrshire (UK 12.9), 74th fewest of 361 councils. A higher number means more competition for each public charger, though many drivers charge at home.

Public chargers

Public EV chargers in East Ayrshire by date
Date All public chargers50kW and above
Jan 2026 26358
Apr 2026 26360
Jul 2026 27877

Source:DfT 1 July 2026 Updated

Chargers per 100,000 residents

Public chargers per 100,000 residents, East Ayrshire compared
Area All chargers50kW and above
East Ayrshire 22963
Scotland 23259
UK 17542

Source:DfT 1 July 2026 Updated

Road traffic and collisions in East Ayrshire

Vehicles travelled an estimated 755 million miles on roads in East Ayrshire in 2025.

Traffic on all roads

Million vehicle miles a year on roads in East Ayrshire
Year Million vehicle miles
1993 484
1994 494
1995 502
1996 516
1997 528
1998 535
1999 549
2000 562
2001 579
2002 595
2003 608
2004 611
2005 583
2006 653
2007 650
2008 645
2009 644
2010 647
2011 643
2012 641
2013 641
2014 666
2015 673
2016 681
2017 704
2018 711
2019 709
2020 554
2021 646
2022 698
2023 713
2024 725
2025 755

Source:DfT 1993 to 2025 Updated

Reported injury collisions

Police-reported injury collisions in East Ayrshire, 2021 to 2025
Year CollisionsKilled or seriously injured
2021 7139
2022 8846
2023 10347
2024 7033
2025 8633

Source:DfT STATS19,UK Motoring analysis 2021 to 2025 Updated

More road safety figures

Petrol and diesel prices in East Ayrshire

Unleaded petrol averages 166.4p a litre across 10 filling stations in East Ayrshire, 5.1p below the UK average. Diesel averages 191.4p, 7.3p below the UK average. Prices checked 31 Oct, 19:32.

Cheapest petrol

  1. Pace Barrhill Garage Cumnock 157.9p
  2. Gulf Burnpark Service Station Limited Kilmarnock 159.7p
  3. Campbell Fuel Oils Limited Kilmarnock 159.9p

Every filling station and price in East Ayrshire

Roadworks in East Ayrshire

The Scottish Road Works Register lists 374 sets of roadworks in East Ayrshire, of which 74 are under way and 300 are planned. 98 of them close a road, a lane, a slip road or the hard shoulder. East Ayrshire Council is behind the most, 142 of them (38.0%). From the extract of 30 October 2026.

Works most likely to hold you up

  • Sandbed Lane, Kilmarnock

    Road closed Under way, until 26 Jan 2027 East Ayrshire Council

    Road closure to protect pedestrians from demolition site on Sandbed lane.

  • Central Avenue, Shortlees

    Road closed Under way, until 17 Nov 2026 SGN

    Essential checks to investigate a reported loss of pressure / gas escape

  • Robertland Rigg, Stewarton

    Road closed Under way, until 11 Mar 2027 Scottish Water

    Exc lay sewer

  • Robertland Rigg, Stewarton

    Road closed Under way, until 11 Mar 2027 Scottish Water

    Exc & lay sewer

  • Dunaskin, Doon Valley

    Road closed Under way, until 30 Oct 2026 Network Rail

    Carry out masonry and pointing repairs to railway bridge. Working Times: 19/10/2026 to 23/10/2026 - 08:00 to 16:00 and then 26/10/2026 to 30/10/2026…

  • Footpath Between Robertland Rigg And Cutsburn Road By River Walk, Stewarton

    Road closed Under way, until 12 Mar 2027 Scottish Water

    Exc & lay sewer - F/W closure

  • Dalharco Avenue, Patna

    Road closed Under way, until 2 Nov 2026 Scottish Water

    Dig Down 1.5m

  • Cemetery Road, Galston

    Road closed Under way, until 10 Nov 2026 East Ayrshire Council

    New water connection

  • B7064 Moorfield North Roundabout

    Lane closed Under way, until 10 Nov 2026 ESP Electricity

    ESPE037332 Lane closure in place to support the main works to install a cable for an EV charger into McDonalds

  • Green Street, Kilmarnock

    Lane closed Under way, until 2 Apr 2028 East Ayrshire Council

    Road occupation for TM for hoarding and scaffolding and other building works

Who is digging

  • East Ayrshire Council 142
  • BT 90
  • Scottish Water 52
  • SP Energy Networks 52
  • Network Rail 12

How traffic is managed

  • Temporary traffic lights 125
  • Road closed 93
  • Give and take 70
  • No obstruction 61
  • Footway only 11

The register publishes one extract a day, so works can start, finish or change after it is taken. Roadworks across Scotland.

Source:SRWR Extract of 2026-10-30 Updated

How East Ayrshire compares

East Ayrshire compared with Scotland, the UK
East Ayrshire 469 3.6% 3.1% 6.0% 229 9.6
Scotland 439 4.5% 3.3% 7.8% 232 9.7
United Kingdom4445.8%3.1%10.0%17512.9

Private cars per 1,000 people use the ONS mid-2024 population. Chargers are counted at the latest date; plug-in cars at the end of June 2026.

Driving test centres in East Ayrshire

There is 1 DVSA car practical test centre in East Ayrshire, and the highest pass rate in 2025/26 was 67.4% at Cumnock.

Other centres in Scotland:

DVSA publishes pass rates by centre name, with no address, so centres are placed here by the place name in the name DVSA uses. See pass rates at every test centre.

Councils in Scotland

Sorted by battery electric share of cars. Select a column heading to sort by it.

Councils in Scotland
Stirling 471 14.8% 4.5% 32.2% 511 6.0
Renfrewshire 439 12.8% 3.5% 34.8% 243 10.1
East Renfrewshire 475 5.5% 4.9% 4.3% 82 43.0
East Dunbartonshire 482 5.1% 4.5% 4.0% 103 32.4
West Lothian 481 4.9% 4.3% 5.6% 137 21.7
East Lothian 476 4.8% 4.4% 4.4% 600 5.1
Edinburgh 326 4.5% 3.6% 5.2% 192 9.7
Midlothian 465 4.5% 4.1% 5.1% 223 12.7
Orkney Islands 496 4.5% 4.0% 5.2% 386 7.3
South Lanarkshire 465 4.5% 3.9% 6.2% 182 15.3
Perth and Kinross 510 4.4% 3.9% 5.1% 363 8.3
Dundee 373 4.1% 3.2% 6.6% 472 3.7
North Lanarkshire 436 4.0% 3.4% 7.2% 168 13.7
Falkirk 495 3.9% 3.3% 5.4% 163 15.2
Fife 481 3.9% 3.4% 4.8% 132 18.2
South Ayrshire 483 3.9% 3.4% 5.1% 205 12.2
Aberdeenshire 533 3.8% 3.3% 4.3% 162 17.8
East Ayrshire 469 3.6% 3.1% 6.0% 229 9.6
Glasgow 309 3.5% 2.4% 9.6% 180 6.8
North Ayrshire 458 3.5% 3.0% 5.9% 199 10.6
Angus 507 3.4% 3.0% 4.7% 221 10.7
Clackmannanshire 496 3.4% 3.0% 4.9% 205 10.9
Aberdeen 399 3.3% 2.8% 4.4% 192 10.2
Scottish Borders 510 3.2% 2.9% 4.8% 224 10.4
Inverclyde 426 2.9% 2.5% 5.6% 237 7.5
West Dunbartonshire 421 2.9% 2.4% 6.7% 204 8.3
Argyll and Bute 474 2.8% 2.4% 4.7% 396 5.1
Highland 500 2.8% 2.3% 5.0% 387 5.0
Moray 507 2.8% 2.3% 4.5% 153 13.3
Dumfries and Galloway 514 2.4% 2.0% 5.7% 549 3.2
Shetland Islands 476 2.2% 1.7% 9.1% 323 4.3
Na h-Eileanan Siar 507 1.6% 1.3% 4.2% 515 2.4

Data stories to read next

All insights

Data sources and methodology

Datasets used on this page
Figures Source Period Records Updated
Licensed vehicles Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport End of June 2026 74,734 licensed vehicles in East Ayrshire 26 October 2026
Plug-in and electric vehicles Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport End of June 2026 3,352 plug-in vehicles 26 October 2026
Public chargers Electric vehicle public charging infrastructure statistics Department for Transport 1 July 2026 121,171 public chargers (UK) 26 October 2026
Population Mid-year population estimates Office for National Statistics Mid-2024 404 areas 26 October 2026
  • Coverage: licensing and charger figures cover the whole UK. Licensing figures in East Ayrshire run from the end of 2009.
  • Vehicles are counted at the registered keeper’s postcode: for company cars that is the company’s address, not where the car is driven.
  • Battery electric and plug-in counts come from table VEH0142; petrol, diesel and hybrid counts from VEH0105. “Other fuels” is VEH0105’s other-fuel count less plug-in cars.
  • Charger counts are based on Zapmap data and are official statistics in development. In June 2026 one operator removed about 1,270 private chargers wrongly listed as public, so April and July are not strictly comparable.
How we calculate these figures All data sources

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.