The North risks being left behind in Britain’s electric car revolution after Government data revealed that a single London borough boasts more charging points than six major cities combined.
Westminster has 1,095 charging ports, which outstrips the 977 available in Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Leeds, Sheffield and Birmingham.
London has over a third of the 21,925 devices in England.
Running out of steam: Westminster has 1,095 charging ports, which outstrips the 977 available in Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Leeds, Sheffield and Birmingham
The data will fuel driver concerns over ‘range anxiety’ – the fear of driving an electric vehicle and running out of power.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced in November that up to 145,000 charge points are to be installed across the country each year through to 2030, when a UK ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel car sales comes into effect.
Ministers are trying to encourage drivers to switch to greener vehicles but concerns linger that infrastructure is not being built quickly enough to support the rapid growth of electric car ownership.
Electric vehicles accounted for 26 per cent of total car sales in December.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has warned that investment in public charging points has not kept pace with the surge in electric vehicle ownership.
The DfT said £1.3billion has been pledged for more charge points. ‘We want as many people across the country to have the opportunity to make the switch to electric vehicles,’ it said.
