For many, cars are an integral part of our home, with more people opting for electric or hybrid options when it comes to a four-wheeler.
Estate agent comparison site GetAgent.co.uk has analysed the UK market based on the number of electric vehicle charging devices per 100 electric vehicles, as well as the cost of purchasing a property, to see which areas are best for homebuyers on both fronts.
Across the UK, there is an average of just 4.8 charging stations for every 100 electric vehicles.
There are just 20 areas of the UK that are currently home to more than 20 charging stations per 100 electric vehicles, with the average cost of a home coming in at £370,885 – 40% more than the UK average. Luckily, 14 of them are home to below-average property prices.
With 22 charging points per 100 electric vehicles, Blaenau Gwent is not only a great place to own an eco-friendly car, but at £112,343, it’s also home to the most affordable property price.
The Western Isles ranks second with 35.4 charging points per 100 vehicles and an average house price of just £129,365.
Sunderland completes the top three, with the average property costing just £132,345 while there are some 22.2 charging stations for every 100 electric cars.
Other areas to make the list with over 20 charging stations for every 100 electric vehicles include Fermanagh and Omagh (£139,626), Dumfries and Galloway (£148,546), Argyll and Bute (£158,460), Lincoln (£169,115), Boston (£173,304), Highland (£184,214), Gwynedd (£193,961), Coventry (£204,170), Isle of Anglesey (£211,175) Eden (£220,735) and Pembrokeshire (£222,428).
Colby Short, founder and chief executive officer of GetAgent, says: “Our cars and our homes go hand in hand as they’re often the two most expensive assets we own and the two we’re most proud of.”
“We know how a driveway or garage space can add real value to a home but with more of us opting for electric vehicles to help reduce our impact on the environment, the ability to charge them is fast becoming a very sought after amenity amongst homebuyers.”
He adds: “Unfortunately, there aren’t many locations that offer an abundance of charging stations and even fewer still that also offer an affordable foot on the ladder.”
“As with any emerging technology, it should only be a matter of time before this tide starts to turn and we gain greater access to charging stations to help meet the growing demand for greener transport.”