My Garage

Popular searches

Scotland · Council area

Na h-Eileanan Siar motoring statistics

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

Last updated
Records analysed
20,444 licensed vehicles in Na h-Eileanan Siar
Methodology
View methodology
  • Licensed cars 13,776 +1.2% on a year earlier
  • Private cars per 1,000 people 507 UK 444
  • Battery electric cars 223 1.6% of cars (UK 5.8%)
  • Electric share of private cars 1.3% 8th lowest of 361 councils
  • Public chargers 134 515 per 100,000 people (UK 175)
  • Company-registered cars 4.2% UK 10.0%

How many cars are there in Na h-Eileanan Siar?

There were 13,776 licensed cars in Na h-Eileanan Siar at the end of June 2026, and 20,444 licensed vehicles of all kinds. That is 10.1% more cars than in 2010. Privately kept cars work out at 507 for every 1,000 residents, 150th highest of 361 councils (UK 444).

Licensed vehicles in Na h-Eileanan Siar

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

Licensed cars and vehicles in Na h-Eileanan Siar at the end of March each year
Year All vehiclesCars
2010 16,93012,507
2011 17,02412,534
2012 17,35712,716
2013 17,54312,784
2014 17,81812,895
2015 17,84312,891
2016 18,02612,881
2017 18,40013,095
2018 18,67113,166
2019 18,89213,211
2020 18,64712,998
2021 19,39813,421
2022 19,51413,409
2023 19,67713,405
2024 19,92013,534
2025 20,20113,614
2026 20,44413,776

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, Na h-Eileanan Siar compared
Year Na h-Eileanan SiarScotlandUnited Kingdom
2011 453429–
2012 462430–
2013 467436–
2014 474443–
2015 479446473
2016 482450480
2017 491457488
2018 497461490
2019 502465493
2020 498462489
2021 513469493
2022 513466489
2023 515465489
2024 520468490

Source:ONS Mid-2024 Updated

Petrol, diesel and electric cars in Na h-Eileanan Siar

56.1% of cars in Na h-Eileanan Siar run on petrol and 33.6% on diesel. Diesel’s share peaked at 43.2% in 2020. Hybrids that do not plug in make up 7.0%, and cars that plug in 2.8%.

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 Na h-Eileanan Siar, end of March each year
Year PetrolDieselHybridBattery electricPlug-in hybrid
2010 71.0%28.8%0.0%0.0%0.0%
2011 69.3%30.5%0.1%0.0%0.0%
2012 66.9%32.8%0.1%0.0%0.0%
2013 65.1%34.7%0.1%0.0%0.0%
2014 63.4%36.4%0.1%0.0%0.0%
2015 61.1%38.6%0.1%0.0%0.0%
2016 59.5%40.2%0.2%0.1%0.1%
2017 58.2%41.4%0.2%0.1%0.1%
2018 56.8%42.7%0.3%0.1%0.1%
2019 56.9%42.4%0.4%0.1%0.1%
2020 56.0%43.2%0.4%0.2%0.1%
2021 56.0%42.5%0.8%0.3%0.2%
2022 55.8%41.7%1.3%0.5%0.4%
2023 55.7%40.6%2.2%0.7%0.4%
2024 56.1%38.5%3.3%1.0%0.6%
2025 56.1%36.3%5.0%1.2%0.9%
2026 56.1%33.6%7.0%1.6%1.2%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of June 2026 Updated

Electric cars in Na h-Eileanan Siar

223 battery electric cars were licensed in Na h-Eileanan Siar at the end of June 2026, 1.6% of all cars, 5th lowest of 361 councils. With plug-in hybrids, 385 cars plug in. A year earlier there were 165.

Of the privately kept cars, which are registered at home addresses, 1.3% are battery electric (177 cars), the lowest of 32 councils in Scotland. Companies keep 20.6% of the area’s battery electric cars, against 4.2% of its cars overall. There are also 33 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, Na h-Eileanan Siar compared, end of March each year
Year Na h-Eileanan SiarScotlandUnited Kingdom
2016 0.1%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 0.3%0.7%0.8%
2022 0.5%1.2%1.5%
2023 0.7%1.9%2.3%
2024 1.0%2.5%3.2%
2025 1.2%3.4%4.4%
2026 1.6%4.5%5.8%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of June 2026 Updated

Public EV chargers in Na h-Eileanan Siar

There were 134 public chargers in Na h-Eileanan Siar on 1 July 2026, 36 of them rapid or ultra-rapid (50kW and above). That is 515 for every 100,000 residents, 15th highest of 361 councils, against 175 across the UK. The count rose 8.1% from 1 January 2026.

For every public charger there are 2.4 privately kept plug-in cars in Na h-Eileanan Siar (UK 12.9), 10th 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 Na h-Eileanan Siar by date
Date All public chargers50kW and above
Jan 2026 12436
Apr 2026 12434
Jul 2026 13436

Source:DfT 1 July 2026 Updated

Chargers per 100,000 residents

Public chargers per 100,000 residents, Na h-Eileanan Siar compared
Area All chargers50kW and above
Na h-Eileanan Siar 515138
Scotland 23259
UK 17542

Source:DfT 1 July 2026 Updated

Road traffic and collisions in Na h-Eileanan Siar

Vehicles travelled an estimated 142 million miles on roads in Na h-Eileanan Siar in 2025.

Traffic on all roads

Million vehicle miles a year on roads in Na h-Eileanan Siar
Year Million vehicle miles
1993 97
1994 100
1995 103
1996 106
1997 108
1998 109
1999 108
2000 108
2001 109
2002 111
2003 115
2004 115
2005 108
2006 128
2007 129
2008 126
2009 126
2010 127
2011 127
2012 128
2013 130
2014 135
2015 139
2016 157
2017 148
2018 146
2019 144
2020 113
2021 126
2022 136
2023 138
2024 141
2025 142

Source:DfT 1993 to 2025 Updated

Reported injury collisions

Police-reported injury collisions in Na h-Eileanan Siar, 2021 to 2025
Year CollisionsKilled or seriously injured
2021 207
2022 93
2023 146
2024 179
2025 124

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

More road safety figures

Petrol and diesel prices in Na h-Eileanan Siar

Unleaded petrol averages 178.0p a litre across 7 filling stations in Na h-Eileanan Siar, 6.5p above the UK average. Diesel averages 206.0p, 7.3p above the UK average. Prices checked 31 Oct, 19:32.

Cheapest petrol

  1. Gordon Diesel Services Limited HS2 167.9p
  2. Lochs Services Ltd Isle of Lewis 169.4p
  3. Highland Fuels Engebret Ltd Stornoway 176.9p

Every filling station and price in Na h-Eileanan Siar

Roadworks in Na h-Eileanan Siar

The Scottish Road Works Register lists 117 sets of roadworks in Na h-Eileanan Siar, of which 29 are under way and 88 are planned. 3 of them close a road, a lane, a slip road or the hard shoulder. BT is behind the most, 93 of them (79.5%). From the extract of 30 October 2026.

Works most likely to hold you up

  • Brevig Branch, Back

    Road closed 15 Mar 2027 to 6 May 2027 Scottish Hydro Electric Power Dis

    Install of under ground cable

  • Inner Coll Road

    Road closed 15 Mar 2027 to 6 May 2027 Scottish Hydro Electric Power Dis

    Install of under ground cable

  • Vatisker Village Road, Back

    Road closed 15 Mar 2027 to 6 May 2027 Scottish Hydro Electric Power Dis

    Install of under ground cable

  • North Shawbost

    No obstruction Under way, until 29 Oct 2026 BT

    Urgent access for engineers to dig in soft to repair cables customer without service - fault ref NS5946328

  • Balallan, Lochs

    Temporary traffic lights Under way, until 3 Nov 2026 BT

    Emergency notice required to rectify various sunken road crossings

  • Laxay, Lochs

    Temporary traffic lights Under way, until 2 Nov 2026 BT

    Emergency notice required to rectify various sunken road crossings

  • Kinloch, Lochs

    Temporary traffic lights Under way, until 3 Nov 2026 BT

    Emergency notice required to rectify various sunken road crossings

  • Kinloch To Balallan, Lochs

    Temporary traffic lights Under way, until 3 Nov 2026 BT

    Emergency notice required to rectify various sunken road crossings

  • Hoebeg, Lochportain

    Stop and go boards Under way, until 6 Jun 2027 Scottish Water

    New Water main to be laid mostly in verge. Occasionally may involve an excavated road crossing at points.

  • Cheesebay Road West, Lochmaddy

    Stop and go boards Under way, until 6 Jun 2027 Scottish Water

    New Water main to be laid mostly in verge. Occasionally may involve an excavated road crossing at points.

Who is digging

  • BT 93
  • Comhairle nan Eilean Siar -Western Isles 9
  • Scottish Hydro Electric Power Dis 7
  • Scottish Water 7
  • Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission PLC 1

How traffic is managed

  • Stop and go boards 46
  • Temporary traffic lights 41
  • Give and take 13
  • Footway only 8
  • Road closed 3

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 Na h-Eileanan Siar compares

Na h-Eileanan Siar compared with Scotland, the UK
Na h-Eileanan Siar 507 1.6% 1.3% 4.2% 515 2.4
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 Na h-Eileanan Siar

There are 2 DVSA car practical test centres in Na h-Eileanan Siar, and the highest pass rate in 2025/26 was 72.9% at Benbecula Island.

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 20,444 licensed vehicles in Na h-Eileanan Siar 26 October 2026
Plug-in and electric vehicles Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport End of June 2026 428 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 Na h-Eileanan Siar 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.