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West Lothian motoring statistics

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

Last updated
Records analysed
115,991 licensed vehicles in West Lothian
Methodology
View methodology
  • Licensed cars 95,046 +1.2% on a year earlier
  • Private cars per 1,000 people 481 UK 444
  • Battery electric cars 4,621 4.9% of cars (UK 5.8%)
  • Electric share of private cars 4.3% 30th highest of 361 councils
  • Public chargers 256 137 per 100,000 people (UK 175)
  • Company-registered cars 5.6% UK 10.0%

How many cars are there in West Lothian?

There were 95,046 licensed cars in West Lothian at the end of June 2026, and 115,991 licensed vehicles of all kinds. That is 22.7% more cars than in 2010. Privately kept cars work out at 481 for every 1,000 residents, 169th lowest of 361 councils (UK 444).

Licensed vehicles in West Lothian

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

Licensed cars and vehicles in West Lothian at the end of March each year
Year All vehiclesCars
2010 91,69577,481
2011 92,37278,057
2012 93,28378,783
2013 94,44579,956
2014 96,29481,404
2015 98,39682,752
2016 101,22684,622
2017 103,79286,500
2018 106,50988,185
2019 106,16488,677
2020 105,16888,657
2021 107,46089,597
2022 107,67889,265
2023 109,43690,692
2024 111,36392,548
2025 112,53593,962
2026 115,99195,046

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, West Lothian compared
Year West LothianScotlandUnited Kingdom
2011 445429–
2012 449430–
2013 456436–
2014 462443–
2015 467446473
2016 475450480
2017 483457488
2018 492461490
2019 493465493
2020 493462489
2021 495469493
2022 491466489
2023 492465489
2024 496468490

Source:ONS Mid-2024 Updated

Petrol, diesel and electric cars in West Lothian

57.4% of cars in West Lothian run on petrol and 25.6% on diesel. Diesel’s share peaked at 39.5% in 2018. Hybrids that do not plug in make up 9.6%, and cars that plug in 6.9%.

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 West Lothian, end of March each year
Year PetrolDieselHybridBattery electricPlug-in hybrid
2010 73.1%26.6%0.1%0.0%0.0%
2011 70.9%28.8%0.2%0.0%0.0%
2012 69.1%30.5%0.2%0.0%0.0%
2013 67.5%32.1%0.3%0.0%0.0%
2014 65.5%34.0%0.3%0.0%0.0%
2015 63.5%35.9%0.4%0.1%0.0%
2016 61.6%37.6%0.5%0.1%0.0%
2017 60.4%38.7%0.6%0.1%0.1%
2018 59.5%39.5%0.7%0.1%0.1%
2019 59.5%39.1%0.9%0.2%0.2%
2020 59.5%38.8%1.1%0.3%0.2%
2021 59.4%37.9%1.7%0.5%0.4%
2022 59.6%36.1%2.5%1.0%0.6%
2023 59.5%34.4%3.5%1.5%0.8%
2024 59.5%31.6%5.2%2.3%1.0%
2025 58.8%28.7%7.4%3.4%1.4%
2026 57.4%25.6%9.6%4.9%2.0%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of June 2026 Updated

Electric cars in West Lothian

4,621 battery electric cars were licensed in West Lothian at the end of June 2026, 4.9% of all cars, 59th highest of 361 councils. With plug-in hybrids, 6,552 cars plug in. A year earlier there were 3,179.

Of the privately kept cars, which are registered at home addresses, 4.3% are battery electric (3,825 cars), 5th highest of 32 councils in Scotland. Companies keep 17.2% of the area’s battery electric cars, against 5.6% of its cars overall. There are also 123 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, West Lothian compared, end of March each year
Year West LothianScotlandUnited Kingdom
2016 0.1%0.1%0.1%
2017 0.1%0.1%0.1%
2018 0.1%0.1%0.1%
2019 0.2%0.2%0.2%
2020 0.3%0.3%0.4%
2021 0.5%0.7%0.8%
2022 1.0%1.2%1.5%
2023 1.5%1.9%2.3%
2024 2.3%2.5%3.2%
2025 3.4%3.4%4.4%
2026 4.9%4.5%5.8%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of June 2026 Updated

Public EV chargers in West Lothian

There were 256 public chargers in West Lothian on 1 July 2026, 108 of them rapid or ultra-rapid (50kW and above). That is 137 for every 100,000 residents, 176th lowest of 361 councils, against 175 across the UK. The count rose 21.9% from 1 January 2026.

For every public charger there are 21.7 privately kept plug-in cars in West Lothian (UK 12.9), 120th most 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 West Lothian by date
Date All public chargers50kW and above
Jan 2026 21077
Apr 2026 22585
Jul 2026 256108

Source:DfT 1 July 2026 Updated

Chargers per 100,000 residents

Public chargers per 100,000 residents, West Lothian compared
Area All chargers50kW and above
West Lothian 13758
Scotland 23259
UK 17542

Source:DfT 1 July 2026 Updated

Road traffic and collisions in West Lothian

Vehicles travelled an estimated 1,220 million miles on roads in West Lothian in 2025.

Traffic on all roads

Million vehicle miles a year on roads in West Lothian
Year Million vehicle miles
1993 803
1994 821
1995 839
1996 868
1997 893
1998 919
1999 945
2000 964
2001 971
2002 994
2003 1,018
2004 1,024
2005 1,032
2006 1,039
2007 1,057
2008 1,069
2009 1,059
2010 1,049
2011 1,050
2012 1,049
2013 1,060
2014 1,084
2015 1,114
2016 1,134
2017 1,164
2018 1,190
2019 1,192
2020 925
2021 1,054
2022 1,144
2023 1,179
2024 1,197
2025 1,220

Source:DfT 1993 to 2025 Updated

Reported injury collisions

Police-reported injury collisions in West Lothian, 2021 to 2025
Year CollisionsKilled or seriously injured
2021 16962
2022 17458
2023 14147
2024 13353
2025 16563

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

More road safety figures

Petrol and diesel prices in West Lothian

Unleaded petrol averages 174.0p a litre across 18 filling stations in West Lothian, 2.5p above the UK average. Diesel averages 201.0p, 2.3p above the UK average. Prices checked 31 Oct, 19:32.

Cheapest petrol

  1. Esso Asda Livingston Express Petrol Livingston 169.9p
  2. MFG Morrisons Livingston Livingston 169.9p
  3. BP Armadale Bathgate 171.9p

Every filling station and price in West Lothian

Roadworks in West Lothian

The Scottish Road Works Register lists 1,069 sets of roadworks in West Lothian, of which 150 are under way and 919 are planned. 181 of them close a road, a lane, a slip road or the hard shoulder. West Lothian Council is behind the most, 639 of them (59.8%). From the extract of 30 October 2026.

Works most likely to hold you up

  • Heathervale Walk, Bathville

    Road closed Under way, until 10 Nov 2026 Scottish Water

    Repair burst main,,,

  • A899 - Houstoun Interchange, Knightsridge

    Road closed Under way, until 31 Dec 2026 West Lothian Council

    Bridge refurbishment

  • Footpath Adjacent To Livingston Road From Side Of Craiglea House On B7015

    Road closed Under way, until 30 Oct 2026 SGN

    Mains replacement

  • U28 - C29 To U31, Kirknewton

    Road closed Under way, until 2 Nov 2026 SP Energy Networks

    Excavate, backfill and reinstate for 2km HV overlay to replace aged cable.

  • U28 - U31 To A71, Kirknewton

    Road closed Under way, until 2 Nov 2026 SP Energy Networks

    Excavate, backfill and reinstate for 2km HV overlay to replace aged cable.

  • Graham Way, Knightsridge

    Road closed Under way, until 20 Nov 2026 West Lothian Council

    Street lighting upgrade

  • Logan Way, Knightsridge

    Road closed Under way, until 20 Nov 2026 West Lothian Council

    Street lighting upgrade

  • Footpath Side Of 37 Logan Way, Knightsridge

    Road closed Under way, until 20 Nov 2026 West Lothian Council

    Street lighting upgrade

  • Footpath Side Of 24 Graham Way, Knightsridge

    Road closed Under way, until 20 Nov 2026 West Lothian Council

    Street lighting upgrade

  • C14 - Bridgecastle South Lodge To B8028, Whitburn

    Road closed Under way, until 4 Nov 2026 West Lothian Council

    Masonry repairs

Who is digging

  • West Lothian Council 639
  • BT 165
  • SGN 135
  • Scottish Water 59
  • SP Energy Networks 39

How traffic is managed

  • Temporary traffic lights 311
  • Give and take 299
  • Footway only 214
  • Road closed 167
  • No obstruction 40

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 West Lothian compares

West Lothian compared with Scotland, the UK
West Lothian 481 4.9% 4.3% 5.6% 137 21.7
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 West Lothian

There is 1 DVSA car practical test centre in West Lothian, and the highest pass rate in 2025/26 was 55.7% at Livingston.

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 115,991 licensed vehicles in West Lothian 26 October 2026
Plug-in and electric vehicles Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport End of June 2026 6,746 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 West Lothian 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.