Private ownership of electric cars continued to gather pace in the first quarter of 2026, with more privately owned EVs added than in any previous quarter, according to new analysis by the AA.

Department for Transport vehicle licensing statistics show there were 860,334 privately owned battery electric cars on UK roads at the end of the first quarter of 2026. That is up by 271,382 on the same period last year and by 83,136 from the end of 2025, a rise of 10.7% in three months and the largest quarter-on-quarter increase on record.

The latest figures suggest private demand for electric cars continues to strengthen. Greater model choice, improving battery technology and a buoyant used EV market are helping to bring electric motoring within reach of more households than ever before.

The AA’s June EV Readiness Index indicated that high fuel prices are shifting driver worries from battery range to fuel costs at the pump. Following the conflict in the Middle East, higher oil prices have driven up the cost of petrol and diesel, making the lower day-to-day running costs of electric vehicles an increasingly important consideration for many drivers.

Growth is also becoming increasingly widespread across the country. While London and parts of the South East continue to have the largest concentrations of privately owned EVs, the fastest rates of growth are now being seen elsewhere in Britain, highlighting how electric motoring is becoming a mainstream choice rather than one confined to early adopters.

Among the UK’s nations, Wales recorded the strongest annual growth in private EV ownership, increasing by 55.1% over the past year. England, Scotland and Northern Ireland all recorded annual growth of over 45%, highlighting the continued growth in private EV ownership across all four UK nations.

The fastest-growing local authority in the UK was Blaenau Gwent, where private EV ownership increased by 84.8% over the year.

Within England, the East Midlands experienced the fastest growth in private EV ownership, with the total increasing by 58.8% over the year. The North West (58.4%), West Midlands (57.1%), North East (56.5%) and Yorkshire and The Humber (55.9%) all posted growth well above the national average.

By contrast, London’s increase of 22.7% was the lowest of any English region, reflecting its position as one of the country’s earliest adopters of electric vehicles.

At local authority level in England, Knowsley recorded the fastest annual growth in private EV ownership, increasing by 82.9% over the year. It was followed by Hull (82.6%) and Sandwell (77.7%). Also featuring in the top 10 were Bolsover, Hyndburn, Burnley, Boston and Walsall, underlining how the strongest growth is spreading well beyond the country’s traditional EV strongholds.

At the other end of the table, Kensington and Chelsea recorded the slowest growth among London boroughs, at 2.3%. Outside the capital, the weakest rises were seen in Hertsmere, Elmbridge and Three Rivers, reinforcing the trend that some of the country’s earliest EV adopters are now seeing slower rates of growth than areas where electric motoring is only just beginning to accelerate.

Edmund King, AA president, said: “The continued expansion of the used EV market is helping to bring electric motoring within reach of many more households. This may be due to drivers feeling higher fuel prices following the conflict in the Middle East which have reminded many just how expensive petrol and diesel can become, making the long-term running costs of an EV even more attractive.”

But he warned: “There is still more work to do on charging infrastructure, particularly for those 40% of households without any dedicated off-street parking.”

Across all ownership types, there were 1,864,018 electric cars on UK roads at the end of the first quarter of 2026, up by 461,382 (32.9%) compared with the same period last year. This included 974,264 company-owned electric cars, an increase of 183,205 (23.2%) year-on-year.

As of the end of July 2026, there are over 2,150,000 fully electric cars in the UK. This means that around 6.2% of the c.34.8 million cars on UK roads are fully electric.

Young drivers say petrol cars are as outdated as landlines

New research from E.On shows electric cars are surging in popularity among ‘Generation EV’ as young drivers say that petrol is starting to feel like a thing of the past.

According to the study, 56% of young drivers view EVs as a budget saver, with 20% citing low day-to-day running costs (20%) as one of the main reasons why electric is the way to go.

Meanwhile, being able to charge at home (19%), and not needing to visit the petrol station regularly (18%), are among the other reasons EVs hold such strong appeal amongst the younger generation.

EV expert Robert Llewellyn said: “The really striking thing is that this generation isn’t growing up with the assumption that their first car will be petrol. They’re looking at what’s available today and making a practical choice. There are more electric vehicles to choose from than ever before, more affordable ways to get behind the wheel, and the opportunity to keep running costs down by charging at home. For many young drivers, going electric isn’t a statement about the future; it’s simply the option that makes the most sense today.”

However, new data from Venson Automotive Solutions indicates that not all drivers are keen to make the shift to EVs.

The study found that only one in five drivers surveyed said they would choose an EV if replacing their vehicle tomorrow.

The reluctance is compounded by the UK’s ‘driveway divide’. While the Government’s decision to remove VAT on household electricity bills from October is set to lower running costs for electric vehicle drivers who charge at home, public and on-street charging remains subject to 20% VAT, which means those motorists without access to home charging will gain no benefit. In 2025, 61% of motorists surveyed by Venson backed removing the 20% VAT rate from public charging.

The good news is that more than one in three (36%) motorists plan to switch to an EV within two years and almost two-thirds (65%) expect to do so within five years, suggesting the long-term outlook for electrification remains strong.

Encouragingly, the research also suggests that developments in EV technology and infrastructure are strengthening motorists’ appetite to switch. Improvements to charging infrastructure would influence 44% to choose an EV, while 37% are encouraged by advances in battery technology and 36% by the opportunity to reduce emissions.

Cost remains central to motorists’ decisions. Rising petrol and diesel prices would influence 47% to choose electric for their next vehicle and more than half (56%) say lower electricity costs would be the single biggest factor in accelerating their switch, but only if that saving reaches them.

Unequal EV charging costs challenge fleet operators

Simon Staton, client management director at Venson Automotive Solutions, warned that the driveway divide has important implications for fleet operators.

“Employees who can charge at home may see their costs fall, while those reliant on public charging will continue to face substantially higher prices.”

Venson advises fleet operators to identify where and how employees are likely to charge as part of the move to an EV fleet. This should include assessing access to off-street parking, typical daily mileage, local public-charging availability and whether workplace charging can provide a practical and affordable alternative.

Businesses should also review their reimbursement policies periodically, ensuring rates reflect real-world charging costs rather than assuming every employee can use a low-cost home tariff. Clear guidance on approved public networks, off-peak charging and fuel cards can help drivers control costs and reduce administrative complexity.

Staton continued: “EV suitability cannot be determined by mileage and vehicle choice alone. Understanding how each employee will be charging their vehicle, providing workplace facilities where practical and operating a fair reimbursement policy will ensure an inclusive approach to EV transition.

“If the Government can deliver measures that bring public charging costs more closely into line with home charging, it has an opportunity to remove one of the key remaining barriers to increased EV adoption.”