• Electric van uptake grew 50% to 1,731 units in May – the seventh successive month in rising demand¹
• Range anxiety is one of the growing barriers to fleet electrification in the UK, prompting Leasing Options to analyse government data to reveal the local authorities which are best for EV charging provision
• Hammersmith and Fulham local authority has the best EV charger availability as 144.35 chargers per 10,000 people, while Coventry local authority had the best outside of London at 69.49 chargers per 10,000 people

Range anxiety remains a major barrier to the electrification of commercial fleets, yet interest in electric vans continues to grow, evidenced by a 50% year-on-year increase in registrations, reaching 1,731 units in May alone.¹ In response to this growing demand, Leasing Options has analysed government data to identify which UK local authorities are charging ahead when it comes to public EV charging provision.

Per 10,000 Hammersmith and Fulham fared the best at just 144.35 charging points per 10,000 of the population, while Coventry performed the best outside of London at 75.6 chargers per 10,000 residents.

The top ranking local authorities in the UK were revealed as:

At the top of the rankings for public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, Hammersmith and Fulham leads the UK with a total of 2,674 public charging devices, which stands at around 144.35 charging device per 10,000 residents. This includes 57 rapid chargers of 50 kW and above. Close behind is Westminster, with 2,704 public chargers, 73 of them rapid, offering 127.93 devices per 10,000 people. The City of London, though smaller in absolute numbers with just 82 devices and 7 rapid chargers, maintains a high density of 75.6 chargers per 10,000 residents.

Outside of London, Coventry also stands out with 2,471 devices, including 90 rapid chargers, equating to 69.49 per 10,000 people. Notably, Coventry is the only local authority in the top five located outside of London, with E.ON energy having a 15-year strategic partnership with the local council to drive forward the city’s EV infrastructure.

The top ranking local authorities outside of London were revealed as:

When it comes to EV charger accessibility outside of London, following Coventry, Watford ranks in second place with 503 public chargers, 18 of which are rapid, giving it a strong density of 48.82 chargers per 10,000 people. East Lothian ranks third with 473 chargers (40 rapid), equating to 42.06 per 10,000 people, demonstrating strong EV support in Scotland. The Isles of Scilly, despite having only 8 charging devices and no rapid chargers, achieves a high density of 35.07 per 10,000 due to its small population.

Milton Keynes rounds out the top five, offering a substantial number of rapid chargers, an impressive 236 out of 816 total devices, resulting in a charger density of 27.93 per 10,000 people. Moving over to Scotland local Dumfries and Galloway also stands out with 381 chargers, 96 of them rapid, and a density of 26.14, while Stirling follows with 232 chargers (46 rapid), equating to 25.07 per 10,000 residents.

Cambridge ranks eighth with 349 public chargers and 44 rapid units, providing 23.74 chargers per 10,000 people. Na h-Eileanan Siar, a remote Scottish island authority, has 60 chargers (18 rapid), resulting in a notable density of 22.97. Finally, Westmorland and Furness completes the top ten with 508 chargers, 84 of which are rapid, and a density of 22.32 per 10,0

In contrast, Castle Point in South Essex currently has the lowest number of public EV charging points in the UK, with just 15 devices available and only 13 of those being rapid chargers. This translates to just 1.67 charging devices per 10,000 people, far below the national average of around 12 per 10,000. For electric van drivers who depend on reliable and accessible charging during tight delivery schedules, this presents a serious challenge. Limited charging infrastructure in places like Castle Point increases the risk of delays and range anxiety, particularly for those operating on fixed routes or tight service windows.

However, a newly launched phase of the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund will provide an additional £381 million to support local authorities across England. This includes £343 million for the installation of public chargepoints and £37.8 million to help councils build the necessary expertise and planning capacity. For some of those areas ranking low for charger availability, such as the East Midlands, significant investment has been made for 2025 with 40 million pounds to be distributed across 13 East Midlands councils.

For electric van drivers, access to public charging infrastructure is not just a matter of convenience but a key part of maintaining productivity and meeting delivery targets. With the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel vehicle sales approaching, the expansion of the UK’s charging network needs to accelerate, especially in underserved regions. While some areas are clearly leading the way, others still have a long way to go before they can fully support the daily needs of electric commercial vehicles.

Mike Thompson, Chief Operating Officer at Leasing Options, commented on the current state of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, highlighting the challenges faced by van drivers in certain parts of the UK. “There’s no denying that some areas, particularly more rural or coastal regions, are still playing catch-up when it comes to public charging availability. For van drivers who rely on tight schedules and long routes, this can be a real barrier,” he said. “However, the government’s expanded Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund—which now includes £381 million in new funding, is a strong step in the right direction. It’s designed to boost on-street and public charging in exactly the areas that need it most, meaning EV charger accessibility is only set to grow.”

Thompson also stressed the importance of vehicle choice for drivers operating in low-infrastructure zones. “In the short term, those in areas with fewer charging points may want to consider vans with longer electric ranges, like the Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo or the FIAT E-Scudo, to reduce downtime and avoid range anxiety,” he advised.

He went on to highlight the continuing support available through the government’s Plug-in Van Grant (PiVG), which offers up to £5,000 off the purchase price of a new electric van. “At Leasing Options, we’ve seen growing demand for electric van leasing[CS1] , especially as businesses look to meet sustainability targets without sacrificing reliability. With infrastructure improving and more support becoming available, we expect that interest will only continue to grow.”

To discover more information about electric van leasing and the Plug-in Van Grant scheme please visit the Leasing Options van page: https://www.leasingoptions.co.uk/van-leasing/