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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
77,729 licensed vehicles in North Ayrshire
Methodology
View methodology
  • Licensed cars 65,064 +0.9% on a year earlier
  • Private cars per 1,000 people 457 UK 441
  • Battery electric cars 2,084 3.2% of cars (UK 5.4%)
  • Electric share of private cars 2.7% 177th lowest of 361 councils
  • Public chargers 266 199 per 100,000 people (UK 175)
  • Company-registered cars 5.9% UK 9.9%

How many cars are there in North Ayrshire?

There were 65,064 licensed cars in North Ayrshire at the end of March 2026, and 77,729 licensed vehicles of all kinds. That is 13.3% more cars than in 2010. Privately kept cars work out at 457 for every 1,000 residents, 122nd lowest of 361 councils (UK 441).

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 66,25657,403
2011 66,47857,549
2012 66,78357,838
2013 67,28058,250
2014 68,31659,231
2015 69,39759,925
2016 71,16061,222
2017 71,56361,383
2018 71,79361,526
2019 72,66162,021
2020 73,53863,009
2021 73,96962,902
2022 74,33462,699
2023 74,73462,958
2024 76,06664,009
2025 76,81464,466
2026 77,72965,064

Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated

Licensed vehicles by type

Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 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

57.0% of cars in North Ayrshire run on petrol and 29.0% on diesel. Diesel’s share peaked at 39.7% in 2019. Hybrids that do not plug in make up 8.8%, and cars that plug in 4.8%.

Cars by fuel type

Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 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 75.6%24.2%0.1%0.0%0.0%
2011 73.4%26.4%0.1%0.0%0.0%
2012 71.6%28.1%0.2%0.0%0.0%
2013 69.7%30.0%0.2%0.0%0.0%
2014 67.5%32.1%0.3%0.0%0.0%
2015 65.5%34.0%0.3%0.0%0.0%
2016 63.4%36.1%0.3%0.1%0.0%
2017 61.6%37.9%0.4%0.1%0.1%
2018 60.0%39.3%0.5%0.1%0.1%
2019 59.4%39.7%0.7%0.1%0.1%
2020 59.1%39.6%0.9%0.1%0.2%
2021 58.7%39.3%1.4%0.3%0.2%
2022 58.1%38.4%2.3%0.6%0.3%
2023 58.2%36.9%3.2%0.9%0.5%
2024 58.1%34.7%4.7%1.4%0.6%
2025 57.6%32.1%6.7%2.2%1.0%
2026 57.0%29.0%8.8%3.2%1.6%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated

Electric cars in North Ayrshire

2,084 battery electric cars were licensed in North Ayrshire at the end of March 2026, 3.2% of all cars, 137th lowest of 361 councils. With plug-in hybrids, 3,100 cars plug in. A year earlier there were 1,442.

Of the privately kept cars, which are registered at home addresses, 2.7% are battery electric (1,640 cars), 14th lowest of 32 councils in Scotland. Companies keep 21.3% of the area’s battery electric cars, against 5.9% of its cars overall. There are also 110 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 0.1%0.3%0.3%
2021 0.3%0.6%0.7%
2022 0.6%1.1%1.3%
2023 0.9%1.7%2.1%
2024 1.4%2.3%3.0%
2025 2.2%3.2%4.1%
2026 3.2%4.2%5.4%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 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 9.2 privately kept plug-in cars in North Ayrshire (UK 11.9), 80th 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 170.7p a litre across 22 filling stations in North Ayrshire, 1.0p below the UK average. Diesel averages 192.7p, 1.9p below the UK average. Prices checked 16 Sept, 16:47.

Cheapest petrol

  1. Tesco Irvine Riverway Extra Irvine 163.9p
  2. Sainsbury's Irvine Irvine 163.9p
  3. Jet Springbank Service Station Irvine 163.9p

Every filling station and price in North Ayrshire

Roadworks in North Ayrshire

The Scottish Road Works Register lists 527 sets of roadworks in North Ayrshire, of which 120 are under way and 407 are planned. 192 of them close a road, a lane, a slip road or the hard shoulder. North Ayrshire Council is behind the most, 310 of them (58.8%). From the extract of 16 September 2026.

Works most likely to hold you up

  • Sorbie Road, Ardrossan

    Road closed Under way, until 4 Oct 2026 SGN

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

  • 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).

  • Garnock Street, Kilbirnie

    Road closed Under way, until 23 Nov 2026 SGN

    Lay and aban mains - part of na council works

  • Dovecot Lane, Kilwinning

    Road closed Under way, until 3 Dec 2026 SGN

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

  • A760 From Dalry Road Largs To Junction With B784

    Road closed Under way, until 8 Oct 2026 North Ayrshire Council

    High Friction Surface Dressing.

  • Stevenston Shore Car Park

    Road closed Under way, until 24 Sept 2026 Scottish Water

    Exc and lay sewer

  • B714 From A78 Sharphill Roundabout To U49 Muirlaught Farm, Saltcoats

    Road closed Under way, until 28 Jan 2028 North Ayrshire Council

    Upgrade and realignment of the B714. As of 27/07/26 Road Closure now in place until works are completed.

  • B714 From U49 Muilaught Farm To B714 Kilwinning Road Dalry

    Road closed Under way, until 28 Jan 2028 North Ayrshire Council

    Upgrading and realignment of B714. Formation of new roads and SuDS ponds. Re-routing of existing plant as agreed. As of 27/07/26 works now being…

  • Golf Road, Great Cumbrae Island

    Road closed Under way, until 15 Oct 2026 North Ayrshire Council

    Temporary Footway Closure Golf Road from 30th June to 22nd September 2026 tom facilitate Seawall Construction Works

Who is digging

  • North Ayrshire Council 310
  • BT 100
  • SGN 39
  • SP Energy Networks 30
  • Scottish Water 23

How traffic is managed

  • Give and take 164
  • Road closed 144
  • Temporary traffic lights 83
  • Lane closed 45
  • Footway only 34

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 2026-09-16 Updated

How North Ayrshire compares

North Ayrshire compared with Scotland, the UK
North Ayrshire 457 3.2% 2.7% 5.9% 199 9.2
Scotland 436 4.2% 3.0% 7.8% 232 8.9
United Kingdom4415.4%2.8%9.9%17511.9

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 March 2026.

Councils in Scotland

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

Councils in Scotland
Stirling 468 13.9% 4.1% 32.1% 511 5.6
Renfrewshire 436 11.9% 3.2% 34.9% 243 9.1
East Renfrewshire 473 5.1% 4.5% 4.2% 82 40.4
East Dunbartonshire 481 4.7% 4.1% 4.0% 103 32.8
East Lothian 472 4.5% 4.0% 4.4% 600 5.0
Orkney Islands 490 4.4% 3.8% 5.0% 386 6.9
West Lothian 479 4.4% 3.8% 5.7% 137 22.2
Edinburgh 325 4.2% 3.3% 5.3% 192 8.6
South Lanarkshire 463 4.2% 3.5% 6.2% 182 14.0
Midlothian 461 4.1% 3.7% 5.1% 223 11.6
Perth and Kinross 506 4.0% 3.5% 5.1% 363 7.6
Dundee 371 3.9% 3.0% 6.7% 472 3.3
North Lanarkshire 434 3.6% 3.0% 7.2% 168 12.1
South Ayrshire 482 3.6% 3.0% 5.3% 205 10.5
Aberdeenshire 528 3.5% 3.0% 4.3% 162 17.8
Falkirk 493 3.5% 2.9% 5.4% 163 13.9
Fife 478 3.5% 3.0% 4.9% 132 17.2
Glasgow 307 3.4% 2.2% 9.7% 180 6.2
East Ayrshire 467 3.3% 2.8% 6.0% 229 9.1
North Ayrshire 457 3.2% 2.7% 5.9% 199 9.2
Aberdeen 396 3.1% 2.5% 4.5% 192 9.6
Clackmannanshire 492 3.1% 2.7% 4.9% 205 9.5
Angus 504 3.0% 2.6% 4.7% 221 9.7
Scottish Borders 506 3.0% 2.6% 4.8% 224 9.6
West Dunbartonshire 420 2.8% 2.3% 6.5% 204 7.7
Inverclyde 425 2.7% 2.3% 5.6% 237 6.8
Moray 501 2.6% 2.1% 4.5% 153 11.7
Argyll and Bute 471 2.5% 2.2% 4.7% 396 4.9
Highland 496 2.5% 2.0% 5.0% 387 4.4
Dumfries and Galloway 510 2.2% 1.8% 5.8% 549 2.9
Shetland Islands 471 1.9% 1.4% 9.1% 323 3.9
Na h-Eileanan Siar 500 1.5% 1.2% 4.1% 515 2.4

Data sources and methodology

Datasets used on this page
Figures Source Period Records Updated
Licensed vehicles Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport End of March 2026 77,729 licensed vehicles in North Ayrshire 15 September 2026
Plug-in and electric vehicles Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport End of March 2026 3,253 plug-in vehicles 15 September 2026
Public chargers Electric vehicle public charging infrastructure statistics Department for Transport 1 July 2026 121,171 public chargers (UK) 15 September 2026
Population Mid-year population estimates Office for National Statistics Mid-2024 404 areas 15 September 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.