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North Ayrshire motoring statistics

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

Last updated
Records analysed
78,277 licensed vehicles in North Ayrshire
Methodology
View methodology
  • Licensed cars 65,179 +0.6% on a year earlier
  • Private cars per 1,000 people 458 UK 444
  • Battery electric cars 2,269 3.5% of cars (UK 5.8%)
  • Electric share of private cars 3.0% 174th lowest of 361 councils
  • Public chargers 266 199 per 100,000 people (UK 175)
  • Company-registered cars 5.9% UK 10.0%

How many cars are there in North Ayrshire?

There were 65,179 licensed cars in North Ayrshire at the end of June 2026, and 78,277 licensed vehicles of all kinds. That is 13.1% more cars than in 2010. Privately kept cars work out at 458 for every 1,000 residents, 118th lowest of 361 councils (UK 444).

Licensed vehicles in North Ayrshire

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

Licensed cars and vehicles in North Ayrshire at the end of March each year
Year All vehiclesCars
2010 66,69957,616
2011 66,82857,657
2012 67,24058,027
2013 68,16258,699
2014 69,38459,795
2015 70,25060,387
2016 71,27861,008
2017 72,10861,582
2018 72,48761,801
2019 73,26262,275
2020 72,85962,148
2021 74,82963,225
2022 74,75462,788
2023 75,70763,465
2024 76,71364,248
2025 77,72064,814
2026 78,27765,179

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, North Ayrshire compared
Year North AyrshireScotlandUnited Kingdom
2011 418429–
2012 422430–
2013 428436–
2014 438443–
2015 443446473
2016 449450480
2017 453457488
2018 457461490
2019 463465493
2020 464462489
2021 472469493
2022 470466489
2023 475465489
2024 479468490

Source:ONS Mid-2024 Updated

Petrol, diesel and electric cars in North Ayrshire

56.8% of cars in North Ayrshire run on petrol and 28.2% on diesel. Diesel’s share peaked at 39.7% in 2020. Hybrids that do not plug in make up 9.4%, and cars that plug in 5.2%.

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 North Ayrshire, end of March each year
Year PetrolDieselHybridBattery electricPlug-in hybrid
2010 75.1%24.7%0.1%0.0%0.0%
2011 73.0%26.7%0.1%0.0%0.0%
2012 71.2%28.5%0.2%0.0%0.0%
2013 69.2%30.5%0.2%0.0%0.0%
2014 67.1%32.5%0.3%0.0%0.0%
2015 65.0%34.5%0.3%0.1%0.0%
2016 62.8%36.7%0.3%0.1%0.0%
2017 61.1%38.3%0.4%0.1%0.1%
2018 59.9%39.4%0.5%0.1%0.1%
2019 59.5%39.6%0.7%0.1%0.1%
2020 59.0%39.7%0.9%0.2%0.2%
2021 58.6%39.1%1.6%0.3%0.2%
2022 58.2%38.1%2.5%0.6%0.4%
2023 58.2%36.4%3.5%1.1%0.5%
2024 58.2%34.0%5.1%1.6%0.7%
2025 57.7%31.3%7.1%2.5%1.1%
2026 56.8%28.2%9.4%3.5%1.7%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of June 2026 Updated

Electric cars in North Ayrshire

2,269 battery electric cars were licensed in North Ayrshire at the end of June 2026, 3.5% of all cars, 142nd lowest of 361 councils. With plug-in hybrids, 3,401 cars plug in. A year earlier there were 1,591.

Of the privately kept cars, which are registered at home addresses, 3.0% are battery electric (1,813 cars), 14th lowest of 32 councils in Scotland. Companies keep 20.1% of the area’s battery electric cars, against 5.9% of its cars overall. There are also 134 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, North Ayrshire compared, end of March each year
Year North AyrshireScotlandUnited 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 0.6%1.2%1.5%
2023 1.1%1.9%2.3%
2024 1.6%2.5%3.2%
2025 2.5%3.4%4.4%
2026 3.5%4.5%5.8%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of June 2026 Updated

Public EV chargers in North Ayrshire

There were 266 public chargers in North Ayrshire on 1 July 2026, 76 of them rapid or ultra-rapid (50kW and above). That is 199 for every 100,000 residents, 89th highest of 361 councils, against 175 across the UK. The count rose 6.0% from 1 January 2026.

For every public charger there are 10.6 privately kept plug-in cars in North Ayrshire (UK 12.9), 89th 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 North Ayrshire by date
Date All public chargers50kW and above
Jan 2026 25172
Apr 2026 27376
Jul 2026 26676

Source:DfT 1 July 2026 Updated

Chargers per 100,000 residents

Public chargers per 100,000 residents, North Ayrshire compared
Area All chargers50kW and above
North Ayrshire 19957
Scotland 23259
UK 17542

Source:DfT 1 July 2026 Updated

Road traffic and collisions in North Ayrshire

Vehicles travelled an estimated 518 million miles on roads in North Ayrshire in 2025.

Traffic on all roads

Million vehicle miles a year on roads in North Ayrshire
Year Million vehicle miles
1993 394
1994 400
1995 406
1996 417
1997 424
1998 427
1999 423
2000 423
2001 417
2002 432
2003 439
2004 447
2005 438
2006 475
2007 481
2008 481
2009 475
2010 472
2011 471
2012 460
2013 457
2014 472
2015 478
2016 490
2017 498
2018 497
2019 498
2020 386
2021 444
2022 485
2023 496
2024 505
2025 518

Source:DfT 1993 to 2025 Updated

Reported injury collisions

Police-reported injury collisions in North Ayrshire, 2021 to 2025
Year CollisionsKilled or seriously injured
2021 9238
2022 9542
2023 9848
2024 8739
2025 8040

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

More road safety figures

Petrol and diesel prices in North Ayrshire

Unleaded petrol averages 171.7p a litre across 17 filling stations in North Ayrshire, 0.2p above the UK average. Diesel averages 200.0p, 1.3p above the UK average. Prices checked 31 Oct, 19:32.

Cheapest petrol

  1. Gulf Howies Kilwinning 167.9p
  2. Gulf Howies Garage Ltd Kilwinning 167.9p
  3. Asda Ardrossan Supermarket Adrossan 169.7p

Every filling station and price in North Ayrshire

Roadworks in North Ayrshire

The Scottish Road Works Register lists 629 sets of roadworks in North Ayrshire, of which 145 are under way and 484 are planned. 223 of them close a road, a lane, a slip road or the hard shoulder. North Ayrshire Council is behind the most, 366 of them (58.2%). From the extract of 30 October 2026.

Works most likely to hold you up

  • C147 From A841 To Main Street Pirnmill, Lochranza

    Road closed Under way, until 24 Oct 2027 North Ayrshire Council

    Emergency notice due to subsidence and debris following storm Boleo. Further investigation work required to determine extent of damage.

  • Access From A737 To Eglinton Country Park, Kilwinning

    Road closed Under way, until 18 Dec 2026 North Ayrshire Council

    Emergency footbridge closure required to secure access for repairs to unsafe bridge.

  • Main Street, Lochranza

    Road closed Under way, until 24 Oct 2027 North Ayrshire Council

    Emergency notice due to subsidence and debris following storm Boleo. Further investigation work required to determine extent of damage.

  • Newton Road, Lochranza

    Road closed Under way, until 11 Dec 2026 North Ayrshire Council

    Urgent closure and repairs required following extensive and severe damage to the road network caused by Storm Boelo

  • The Braes Car Park, Saltcoats

    Road closed Under way, until 20 Nov 2026 North Ayrshire Council

    Site Compound for works on Dockhead Street (L.A. 3520951)

  • Victoria Place, Saltcoats

    Lane closed Under way, until 2 Dec 2026 North Ayrshire Council

    PHASE 2 Footway Closure to accommodate Carriageway Resurfacing works on Dockhead Street (L.A. 3520951).

  • Dovecot Lane, Kilwinning

    Road closed Under way, until 3 Dec 2026 SGN

    Lay and aban mains road closure access will be maintained to properties

  • C147 From Zc147 Main Street Kilmory To A841 Main Street Whiting Bay

    Road closed Under way, until 27 Nov 2026 North Ayrshire Council

    Culvert repairs.

  • Riverside Roundabout, Irvine

    Lane closed Under way, until 26 Feb 2027 North Ayrshire Council

    4 Way Lights in operation to accommodate works under L.A. 3976138.

  • Irvine Road, Kilwinning

    Road closed Under way, until 7 Nov 2026 Transport Scotland - SW Unit Op Company

    Day closure also on the 26.10.26 and then Overnight off-peak works for Bridge Joint works, Day closure also on the 26.10.26 Dates: 26/10/2026 to…

Who is digging

  • North Ayrshire Council 366
  • BT 129
  • SGN 48
  • Scottish Water 42
  • SP Energy Networks 29

How traffic is managed

  • Give and take 190
  • Road closed 175
  • Temporary traffic lights 123
  • Lane closed 47
  • Footway only 35

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 North Ayrshire compares

North Ayrshire compared with Scotland, the UK
North Ayrshire 458 3.5% 3.0% 5.9% 199 10.6
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 North Ayrshire

There are 2 DVSA car practical test centres in North Ayrshire, and the highest pass rate in 2025/26 was 67.3% at Brodick (Isle of Arran).

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 78,277 licensed vehicles in North Ayrshire 26 October 2026
Plug-in and electric vehicles Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport End of June 2026 3,584 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 North 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.