The latest analysis by CarGurus, an online automotive marketplace, has revealed that British motorists may well be ready for wider electrification after all, well ahead of an anticipated ban on new petrol and diesel cars from 2030, expected to be announced by Boris Johnson on Thursday.

CarGurus data shows that over 75% of consumer enquiries in electric vehicles (EVs) from the last 12 months occurred between July and September of this year. This is consistent with data from the SMMT which shows the September market share of EVs increased by 235% year-on-year.

The analysis from CarGurus also highlights which regions represent the biggest hotspots for interest in electric vehicles, revealing Greater London as the EV hotspot in the UK, accounting for nearly 40% of EV enquiries in the UK.

The area around England’s capital had nearly four times as much interest in EVs than the East of England, which was the region with the next highest level of interest in EVs, while Scotland rounded off the top three.

Motorists in Northern Ireland will require more convincing ahead of the 2030 petrol and diesel ban, coming in last place in the rankings for EV interest, well behind the East Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber in the bottom three.

CarGurus analysed enquiries in EVs on its site between October 2019 and September 2020, from each region of the UK. Each location was then ranked based on the amount of interest in EVs, per number of cars registered locally.

Chris Knapman, editor at CarGurus said: "Banning the sale of all new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030 will certainly present a challenge to the car industry. But it is without doubt that consumer interest in EVs is increasing, with CarGurus data around EV inventory and enquiries mirroring the dramatic rise in battery EV registrations.

"London is displaying the most interest in EVs by quite some way, which is most likely a result of electric cars being exempt from the congestion charge, as well as the charging infrastructure available. Across the UK, the continued investment in infrastructure combined with the increasing numbers of EVs arriving on the new and used markets mean we are almost certain to see more drivers making the switch.”