NEW regional analysis from Central Contracts shows that while Londoners are tending toward a fully electric future, drivers in the Midlands and the North are leaning heavily on hybrids and traditional petrol engines.
The survey data comes from 18,000 orders in its 2023-2025 order history. Central Contracts, which trades as www.LeaseCar.uk, was ranked 4th in the BN25 league table, with 8,228 orders in 2025.
London remains the UK’s electric leader, with 21.1% of all leases being fully electric, almost double the rate of several northern counties. London also boasts the youngest demographic of leasers (average age 42), driven by the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
Surrey* has emerged as the UK’s hybrid capital, with over 27% of drivers choosing a hybrid over a pure EV or petrol car. In contrast, drivers in West Yorkshire and Kent remain the most loyal to the pump, with 59% and 55% respectively still opting for traditional petrol vehicles.
Diesel and hybrid preferences
While diesel has declined nationally, it remains a vital tool for long-distance drivers in the North and Midlands, with Staffordshire recording a diesel adoption rate of 19.9%, more than double that of London (8.9%).
Regions with older average driver ages, such as Staffordshire (49.9 yrs) and Cheshire (49.8 yrs), show a much higher preference for the reliability of diesel and petrol, suggesting that range anxiety remains a barrier for older demographics in more rural or suburban settings.
Gareth Roberts, strategy director at Central Contracts, said: “In London and the south-east, the move to electric is a policy-driven necessity. But in the North and the Midlands, we’re seeing a much more measured approach, with drivers using hybrids as a vital bridge.
“Personal Contract Hire allows drivers the peace of mind to use the fuel type they feel most comfortable with, knowing that they can hand the keys back and upgrade as technology evolves.”
Women are significantly more cautious about going fully electric but are the biggest fans of hybrid technology, with women nationally twice as likely to lease a hybrid (22%) than a full EV (11%).
In counties like Lancashire and West Midlands, women make up over 35% of the leasing market, with a strong preference for petrol and hybrid crossovers.
*Regional data covers the top 10 most active leasing counties in the UK.
Photo by simon follin on Unsplash
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