In early 2023, more UK electricity came from wind farms than from gas, according to Zapmap, an independent charging data publisher, in a guide updated on 8 May 20261. The same guide states that in May 2024, 55% of electricity was from zero-carbon sources1. Both figures appear in a section addressing the claim that charging an electric car makes no sense while electricity is generated by burning gas1.
The guide gives no further breakdown of the 2023 comparison: it does not report the share of generation held by wind or by gas, the period over which the comparison was measured, or the source of the underlying grid data1. No separate confirmation of the figures from a grid operator or government body appears in the material1.
Zapmap's own survey of electric vehicle drivers found that 80% of owners use off-peak, renewable electricity tariffs for home charging1. The guide also cites charging infrastructure figures as of January 2026, reporting more than 115,000 public charge points across the UK, of which 26,557 are rapid or ultra-rapid, across 6,673 locations1.
"In early 2023, more UK electricity came from wind farms than from gas. In May 2024, 55% of electricity was from zero-carbon sources."
On emissions, the guide cites the International Council on Clean Transportation for the finding that an electric vehicle pays off its initial carbon debt within approximately 11,000 miles when driven in Europe, and that its lifetime CO2 emissions are roughly 68% lower than an average petrol car1. It also cites a 2023 Carbon Brief analysis that a Tesla Model Y driven in the UK would pay off its carbon debt after about 13,000 miles, producing 14 tonnes of CO2 over 14 years against 45 tonnes from an average petrol car1.
| Measure | Figure | As reported |
|---|---|---|
| Wind versus gas generation | Wind higher | Early 20231 |
| Zero-carbon share of electricity | 55% | May 20241 |
| Public charge points | More than 115,000 | January 20261 |
| Rapid and ultra-rapid charge points | 26,557 across 6,673 locations | January 20261 |
| EV owners on off-peak renewable tariffs | 80% | Zapmap survey1 |
Why it matters for households
The generation mix behind the plug determines how much gas a household is indirectly buying when it runs an appliance or charges a car. A period in which wind output exceeded gas output means a larger share of that demand was met without burning fuel, which reduces exposure to gas prices for the electricity supplied in those hours. The 55% zero-carbon figure for May 2024 points to the same direction of travel, though it also means close to half of electricity still came from other sources1.
For a home, the practical variable is timing. Off-peak tariffs shift consumption towards hours when wholesale prices are lower, and Zapmap reports that 80% of electric vehicle owners use renewable off-peak tariffs for home charging1. Households without a car can still move flexible loads such as hot water or storage heating into those windows. The UK electricity generation mix sets the backdrop, and wind power on the UK grid explains how output varies. Where a home's gas and electricity actually come from is covered in UK energy supply.
What happens next
No dated next steps are reported in the material1.