Birmingham outpaces London for gym-based EV charging
New study analyses over 130 gym locations and nearly 10,000 public EV chargers across the UK
A new study by Drax Electric Vehicles has revealed that Birmingham is one of the best cities in the UK for electric vehicle (EV) charging access at gyms - outperforming London, Leeds and Sheffield.
The research analysed 134 locations from ten of the UK’s leading gym chains, ranking cities by the number of public EV chargers available within a one-mile radius of each gym location.
Birmingham ranked third overall, offering an average of 90.4 public chargers per gym - well above the national average and significantly more than many other major UK cities.
| Rank | UK city | Avg. EV chargers per gym (1-mile radius) |
| 1 | Manchester | 172.6 |
| 2 | Glasgow | 96.4 |
| 3 | Birmingham | 90.4 |
| 4 | Leeds | 66.6 |
| 5 | Edinburgh | 62.6 |
| 6 | London | 56.8 |
| 7 | Sheffield | 47.2 |
| 8 | Bristol | 36.9 |
| 9 | Liverpool | 31 |
| 10 | Bradford | 26 |
Source: Drax Electric Vehicles
Firstness First tops UK gym chain leaderboard
Several major UK gym chains with a presence in and around Birmingham - including Fitness First, The Gym Group, Nuffield Health, David Lloyd and Bannatyne - are contributing to stronger local EV infrastructure. Many locations benefit from excellent public charging access, with some sites outperforming city averages by a significant margin.
Among these, Fitness First came out on top nationally in the study, offering 17.7% better charging access than city averages. The Virgin Active and Gym Group also performed well across the UK, showing consistent support for EV drivers.
Adam Hall, Director at Drax Electric Vehicles, comments:
"These findings highlight the real-world benefits of developing a strong public charging network. It’s not just about powering vehicles - it’s about making everyday life more convenient.”
“The UK has one of the highest gym membership rates across Europe. By enabling convenient access to places like the gym, charging becomes part of the journey, not a disruption. This is the type of progress that helps make the switch to EVs more practical and appealing for everyone.”
More gym chains are plugging in for a sustainable future
Several gym chains are joining the EV revolution by installing on-site charging stations at their locations. Notable examples include David Lloyd and Bannatyne, which are integrating electric vehicle chargers as part of their sustainability initiatives.
Adam adds:
"As the number of electric vehicles on our roads continues to grow, charging access at everyday destinations like gyms is becoming a greater concern for consumer behaviour, especially for consumers without access to home charging.”
“Ultimately, expanding public charging availability, especially in high-footfall and routine-essential destinations, will continue to be important. We’re in a critical period where drivers and businesses considering the switch to electric vehicles need reassurance that charger availability is keeping pace with demand.”