If you drive an EV, or you're thinking about making the switch, where you live matters a lot. A city with great charging coverage makes ownership easy. A city without it makes every longer journey a planning exercise. We used our own database of 80,000+ UK charge points, matched against postcode-level risk and broadband data, to find out which cities come out on top.
We scored each city on four things: total charge points, average distance to the nearest rapid charger, broadband coverage, and infrastructure risk score. Lower risk and shorter distances are better. Here is what we found.
All data is sourced from our live database of 80,262 UK charge points, cross-referenced with ONS postcode data, Ofcom broadband coverage, and the EVInsight infrastructure risk model. Data current as of April 2026.
Aberdeen tops the list with the lowest infrastructure risk score of any major UK city and solid charging coverage across the city. The average distance to a rapid charger is just 0.7 miles, broadband coverage is near-universal, and deprivation levels are low relative to other cities of its size. If you want to drive electric with as little friction as possible, Aberdeen is genuinely hard to beat.
Edinburgh is the best-served capital city in the UK for EV infrastructure. Nearly 500 charge points, 0.7 miles average to a rapid charger, and the highest average IMD decile of any city in this analysis — meaning lower deprivation levels across more of the city. A genuinely great place to own an EV.
Manchester punches well above its weight on EV infrastructure. Over 700 charge points, a 0.6 mile average to the nearest rapid charger, and a very low risk score make it one of the easiest cities in England to live with an EV. Broadband coverage is excellent too.
Glasgow has more charge points than any other Scottish city and ties with Manchester for the shortest average distance to a rapid charger at 0.6 miles. Scotland's dedicated EV Infrastructure Fund has clearly delivered here. Good coverage, reasonable risk, and a city that is actively investing in the network.
Exeter is the surprise entry in this list. A smaller city with a low risk score, good charging provision for its size, and strong broadband coverage. For anyone looking to leave a major city without sacrificing EV convenience, Exeter makes a compelling case.
Swindon rarely appears on best city lists but the data tells a good story for EV drivers. Low risk, 0.7 miles average to a rapid charger, and the joint-highest IMD decile score in this analysis. Good road links and solid charging infrastructure make it a practical choice.
Cardiff is the best city in Wales for EV drivers and holds its own against comparable English cities. Over 300 charge points, 1.0 mile average to a rapid charger, and a moderate risk score. Wales has been slower to build dedicated EV funding but Cardiff has benefited from commercial investment.
Cambridge has the highest IMD decile score of any city in this analysis — meaning the lowest deprivation levels — and a reasonable charging network for its size. The 0.9 mile average to a rapid charger is competitive and the risk score is modest. A strong performer for a relatively small city.
Bristol has strong charging infrastructure with nearly 500 charge points and a 0.7 mile average to a rapid charger. The higher risk score keeps it out of the top five, but if you live in a lower-risk part of the city the charging experience is excellent. The Revive network and growing lamppost charging rollout mean coverage continues to improve.
Reading completes the list with a solid charging network, low deprivation levels, and good broadband. The 0.9 mile average to a rapid charger is competitive and the city benefits from its position on major transport corridors that attract commercial charging investment.
What about London?
London has by far the most charge points of any UK city with nearly 20,000, and a 0.6 mile average to the nearest rapid charger. So why is it not on the list? The risk score of 16.2 is the highest of any city we analysed, reflecting higher vehicle crime and collision rates in urban areas. If you live in the right part of London the charging experience is excellent. If you do not, it is a different story. London is also expensive, which affects the overall picture for anyone thinking about where to move.
How we scored them
We used our own database of 80,262 UK charge points, joined against postcode-level risk data covering EV infrastructure risk scores, IMD deprivation deciles, broadband coverage from Ofcom, and average distance to the nearest rapid charger. Cities were ranked by combining low risk, short distance to rapid charging, strong broadband, and lower deprivation. Only cities with more than 10 charging locations in our database were included.
The data is sourced entirely from government and statutory bodies and operator feeds published under the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023. You can search charge points in any of these cities right now on EVChargeSpot.