When it comes to finding a public charging point, electric car drivers in the Welwyn and Hatfield areas of Hertfordshire have been amongst the best provided for in the UK over the last three years, according to new research from Citroen.

Researchers commissioned by Citroen UK analysed the number of public chargers per 100,000 residents in local authority areas across the UK and the results show that the Welwyn Hatfield area had recorded the highest percentage increase in the provision of public charging points since October 2019, with a 754 per cent rise in the number of charging devices available.

There are now 90.4 charging devices per 100,000 people in the borough, up from only 10.6 in 2019. Brighton and Hove in East Sussex achieved the second-highest rise, with a 496 per cent increase, up from 20.3 in 2019 to 121 charging devices per 100,000 people in the area.

The research comes as sales of plug-in electrified vehicles now account for 21 per cent of the UK new car market, according to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Citroën UK also analysed the increases in the number of rapid chargers per 100,000 people over the same period, with Stafford in Staffordshire recording the highest percentage increase in rapid charging devices per 100,000 residents - a rise of 435% since October 2019. Stafford now has 27.6 rapid charging devices per 100,000 people, up from 5.2 three years ago.

In terms of total public charging devices per local authority, Westminster has by far the most charging points, with 1,494 devices in place, followed by Wandsworth with 873 and Coventry at 695, as of October 2022.

The UK has witnessed a 129 per cent rise in the total number of public charging devices over the three-year period. In October 2022, there were 34,637 public charging devices nationwide, including 6,395 rapid charging devices - those with speeds above 25kW.

Citroën UK also analysed the increases in the number of rapid chargers per 100,000 people over the same period, with Stafford in Staffordshire recording the highest percentage increase in rapid charging devices.

Stafford now has 27.6 rapid charging devices per 100,000 people, up from 5.2 three years ago - a rise of 435% since October 2019. South Gloucestershire and North Warwickshire recorded the second and third-highest increases per 100,000 people.

Eurig Druce, Citroën UK's Managing Director, says: "Widespread access to public charging points is one of the cornerstones that must be in place as we push towards making the UK a true electric vehicle nation. As Citroën moves towards offering electrified variants across its entire model range by 2025, our research highlights which local authorities are recording the biggest percentage increases in public chargers for their residents."