Electric vehicle uptake has hit a tipping point as ownership spreads beyond affluent early adopters, a new study suggests.

Analysis of EV adoption across England by independent transport research organisation New Automotive and public charging network Char.gy shows that while EV ownership remains higher in less deprived areas, recent growth has become significantly more broad-based.

The two firms said the data shows the transition to electric is moving beyond affluent early adopters, reversing the early ‘wealth divide’.

The research compares the percentage of cars on the road that are electric with levels of deprivation, measured using the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD).

Historically, the least deprived areas have had the highest concentration of EVs, due to wealthier households being able to adopt the technology earlier.

Year-on-year growth trends indicate this is changing, and EV adoption in England is now broad-based across almost all deprivation levels.

Between 2021 and 2022, growth in EV adoption was heavily concentrated in the least deprived half of the country. The most deprived communities saw comparatively limited increases in uptake.

By contrast, across 2025 the picture shifted markedly. Annual growth in EV adoption occurred across almost all deprivation deciles, with only the 10% most deprived areas showing notably slower progress.

John Lewis, CEO of charging firm Char.gy, commented: “EV adoption started in wealthier areas, but what’s encouraging is how that’s changing. While growth in 2021-22 was largely confined to more affluent communities, by 2025 uptake has become much broader. That shows the transition is moving beyond early adopters.”

Char.gy said this represents a significant change in the geography of the UK’s EV transition. While wealthier communities continue to see strong growth, the gap in new adoption rates has narrowed considerably.

But the firm noted that the most deprived 10% of areas in England face some of the highest levels of poverty, social challenges and ill health in the country; factors that can compound barriers to EV uptake.

John Lewis went on: “The focus now must be on ensuring those most disadvantaged communities aren’t left behind by expanding reliable, affordable on-street charging where it’s needed most.”

Ben Nelmes, CEO, New Automotive, said: “The data is clear that motorists the length and breadth of the country are now going electric as the second-hand market booms and more affordable models become available in the new market. The people’s car is increasingly an EV.”

Tanya Sinclair, CEO at Electric Vehicles UK, said the data shows that “this is not a story of polarisation”.

The latest growth patterns suggest that as infrastructure expands and EVs become more mainstream, adoption is no longer restricted to higher-income neighbourhoods.

Stakeholders in the research also stressed the role of on-street charging.

As the market matures, access to public and on-street charging infrastructure is increasingly critical to enabling equitable EV adoption, particularly in lower-income urban areas where households are less likely to have driveways.

Continued targeted investment in charging access will be key to ensuring the final stages of the transition are fair and inclusive.

Tanya Sinclair continued: “Drivers from across the country are going electric, in their thousands. With over two million plug-in vehicles on the road it’s crucial that charging is accessible, reliable and available, wherever the vehicles need it.”