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South Ayrshire motoring statistics

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

Last updated
Records analysed
69,478 licensed vehicles in South Ayrshire
Methodology
View methodology
  • Licensed cars 57,131 −0.2% on a year earlier
  • Private cars per 1,000 people 483 UK 444
  • Battery electric cars 2,227 3.9% of cars (UK 5.8%)
  • Electric share of private cars 3.4% 130th highest of 361 councils
  • Public chargers 230 205 per 100,000 people (UK 175)
  • Company-registered cars 5.1% UK 10.0%

How many cars are there in South Ayrshire?

There were 57,131 licensed cars in South Ayrshire at the end of June 2026, and 69,478 licensed vehicles of all kinds. That is 8.6% more cars than in 2010. Privately kept cars work out at 483 for every 1,000 residents, 172nd lowest of 361 councils (UK 444).

Licensed vehicles in South Ayrshire

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

Licensed cars and vehicles in South Ayrshire at the end of March each year
Year All vehiclesCars
2010 61,23052,596
2011 61,44252,673
2012 61,56452,741
2013 62,23453,111
2014 62,93353,556
2015 63,40854,023
2016 64,48154,687
2017 65,64855,589
2018 66,24455,959
2019 66,79356,219
2020 65,99855,689
2021 67,62756,457
2022 67,85956,286
2023 68,28856,469
2024 68,84856,939
2025 69,54757,272
2026 69,47857,131

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, South Ayrshire compared
Year South AyrshireScotlandUnited Kingdom
2011 466429–
2012 467430–
2013 471436–
2014 476443–
2015 481446473
2016 487450480
2017 495457488
2018 500461490
2019 502465493
2020 500462489
2021 506469493
2022 505466489
2023 505465489
2024 507468490

Source:ONS Mid-2024 Updated

Petrol, diesel and electric cars in South Ayrshire

55.8% of cars in South Ayrshire run on petrol and 27.6% on diesel. Diesel’s share peaked at 40.4% in 2018. Hybrids that do not plug in make up 10.1%, and cars that plug in 5.8%.

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 South Ayrshire, end of March each year
Year PetrolDieselHybridBattery electricPlug-in hybrid
2010 73.8%25.9%0.2%0.0%0.0%
2011 71.8%27.9%0.2%0.0%0.0%
2012 69.7%29.9%0.3%0.0%0.0%
2013 67.8%31.7%0.4%0.0%0.0%
2014 65.6%33.8%0.4%0.0%0.0%
2015 63.5%35.9%0.4%0.0%0.0%
2016 61.5%37.8%0.5%0.1%0.1%
2017 59.8%39.4%0.6%0.1%0.1%
2018 58.6%40.4%0.7%0.1%0.1%
2019 58.6%40.2%0.9%0.1%0.1%
2020 58.5%40.0%1.1%0.2%0.2%
2021 58.5%38.9%1.7%0.4%0.3%
2022 58.1%37.6%2.7%0.8%0.5%
2023 58.0%35.8%3.9%1.2%0.7%
2024 57.8%33.4%5.5%1.9%0.9%
2025 57.1%30.6%7.7%2.7%1.4%
2026 55.8%27.6%10.1%3.9%1.9%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of June 2026 Updated

Electric cars in South Ayrshire

2,227 battery electric cars were licensed in South Ayrshire at the end of June 2026, 3.9% of all cars, 170th highest of 361 councils. With plug-in hybrids, 3,337 cars plug in. A year earlier there were 1,519.

Of the privately kept cars, which are registered at home addresses, 3.4% are battery electric (1,833 cars), 12th highest of 32 councils in Scotland. Companies keep 17.7% of the area’s battery electric cars, against 5.1% of its cars overall. There are also 47 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, South Ayrshire compared, end of March each year
Year South 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 0.4%0.7%0.8%
2022 0.8%1.2%1.5%
2023 1.2%1.9%2.3%
2024 1.9%2.5%3.2%
2025 2.7%3.4%4.4%
2026 3.9%4.5%5.8%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of June 2026 Updated

Public EV chargers in South Ayrshire

There were 230 public chargers in South Ayrshire on 1 July 2026, 53 of them rapid or ultra-rapid (50kW and above). That is 205 for every 100,000 residents, 79th highest of 361 councils, against 175 across the UK. The count rose 2.2% from 1 January 2026.

For every public charger there are 12.2 privately kept plug-in cars in South Ayrshire (UK 12.9), 106th 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 South Ayrshire by date
Date All public chargers50kW and above
Jan 2026 22548
Apr 2026 24154
Jul 2026 23053

Source:DfT 1 July 2026 Updated

Chargers per 100,000 residents

Public chargers per 100,000 residents, South Ayrshire compared
Area All chargers50kW and above
South Ayrshire 20547
Scotland 23259
UK 17542

Source:DfT 1 July 2026 Updated

Road traffic and collisions in South Ayrshire

Vehicles travelled an estimated 670 million miles on roads in South Ayrshire in 2025.

Traffic on all roads

Million vehicle miles a year on roads in South Ayrshire
Year Million vehicle miles
1993 480
1994 493
1995 502
1996 515
1997 524
1998 530
1999 540
2000 537
2001 553
2002 582
2003 599
2004 594
2005 587
2006 599
2007 606
2008 602
2009 600
2010 604
2011 601
2012 592
2013 588
2014 605
2015 615
2016 635
2017 648
2018 649
2019 650
2020 499
2021 585
2022 646
2023 655
2024 662
2025 670

Source:DfT 1993 to 2025 Updated

Reported injury collisions

Police-reported injury collisions in South Ayrshire, 2021 to 2025
Year CollisionsKilled or seriously injured
2021 6940
2022 7138
2023 6635
2024 6532
2025 8644

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

More road safety figures

Petrol and diesel prices in South Ayrshire

Unleaded petrol averages 170.0p a litre across 9 filling stations in South Ayrshire, 1.5p below the UK average. Prices checked 31 Oct, 19:32.

Cheapest petrol

  1. Esso Masonhill Service Station Ayr 167.9p
  2. BP MFG Kyle Ayr 167.9p
  3. Sainsbury's Prestwick Prestwick 167.9p

Every filling station and price in South Ayrshire

Roadworks in South Ayrshire

The Scottish Road Works Register lists 378 sets of roadworks in South Ayrshire, of which 95 are under way and 283 are planned. 67 of them close a road, a lane, a slip road or the hard shoulder. South Ayrshire Council is behind the most, 132 of them (34.9%). From the extract of 30 October 2026.

Works most likely to hold you up

  • Princes Street, Tarbolton

    Road closed Under way, until 27 Oct 2026 Scottish Water

    Dig down 1.5m on road and remove obstruction stuck in pipe

  • Ailsa Street West, Girvan

    Road closed Under way, until 16 Nov 2026 SP Energy Networks

    Excavate, backfill & reinstate for work to replace pillar

  • Wilson Street, Girvan

    Road closed Under way, until 16 Nov 2026 SP Energy Networks

    TM only for work to replace pillar on Ailsa St W

  • U98 From Southside Farm Access Road To Townend Road Symington

    Road closed Under way, until 3 Nov 2026 BT

    New duct in verge, fway, soft

  • U99 From C32 Junction To U98 Junction, Dundonald

    Road closed Under way, until 3 Nov 2026 BT

    New duct in verge, fway, soft

  • Glenburn Road, Prestwick

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

    Occupation permit for road closure for demolition works

  • C74 From B742 North East Of Bowmanston To A70 At Old Toll, Ayr

    Road closed 2 Nov 2026 to 10 Apr 2027 South Ayrshire Council

    New ducting

  • A714 From Pinmore South To B734 Junction At Pinmore Bridge

    Road closed 9 Nov 2026 to 10 Nov 2026 Network Rail

    Carry out examination of rail over road bridge between the hours of 22.00 and 06.00

  • A714 From Pinmore South To B734 Junction At Pinmore Bridge

    Road closed 9 Nov 2026 to 10 Nov 2026 Network Rail

    Carry out examination of rail over road bridge between the hours of 22.00 and 06.00

  • Lochside Road, Ayr

    Road closed 16 Nov 2026 to 23 Nov 2026 Scottish Water

    Dig down 1.5m on roadway and repair damaged sewer pipe

Who is digging

  • South Ayrshire Council 132
  • BT 123
  • SP Energy Networks 39
  • Scottish Water 37
  • SGN 28

How traffic is managed

  • Give and take 140
  • Temporary traffic lights 99
  • Road closed 56
  • No obstruction 55
  • Lane closed 9

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 South Ayrshire compares

South Ayrshire compared with Scotland, the UK
South Ayrshire 483 3.9% 3.4% 5.1% 205 12.2
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 South Ayrshire

There are 2 DVSA car practical test centres in South Ayrshire, and the highest pass rate in 2025/26 was 72.0% at Girvan.

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 69,478 licensed vehicles in South Ayrshire 26 October 2026
Plug-in and electric vehicles Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport End of June 2026 3,533 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 South 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.