The AA has published its latest EV Readiness Index, showing that rising petrol and diesel prices have reshaped driver attitudes towards electric vehicles. The Q2 2026 Index, the
The AA has published its latest EV Readiness Index, showing that rising petrol and diesel prices have reshaped driver attitudes towards electric vehicles.
The Q2 2026 Index, the AA’s fourth quarterly assessment of the UK’s readiness for EV adoption, reveals that disruption to global energy markets has pushed fuel prices higher while EV charging costs have remained stable. As a result, drivers able to charge at home are seeing substantial savings compared with petrol and diesel car owners.
The AA UK EV Readiness Index tracks eight factors influencing drivers’ readiness to switch to EVs, combining them into an overall ‘Readiness Rating’ from 1 to 100.A score of 1 indicates that barriers remain too high for all drivers, while a score of 100 indicates clear and significant advantages to EV ownership.
Q2 2026 headline scores are as follows:
Overall Readiness Rating: 58.8, up from 53.8 in Q1
Upfront Costs: 53, down from 60 in Q1
Charging: 60, up from 43 in Q1
Upkeep: 65, up from 60 in Q1
Back in March 2026, the index exceeded 50 for the first time. In Q2, the AA’s overall EV Readiness Rating rose to 58.8, up from 53.8 in Q1, reflecting improved scores for both public and home charging. The uplift was driven largely by the widening cost gap between petrol and home charging, as petrol prices reached 159.6p per litre at the end of May, almost 20% higher than in the previous quarter’s Index.
For EV drivers charging at home, the index found that running costs were 67% cheaper per mile than petrol equivalents, compared with 57% cheaper in Q1. That equates to a conservative saving of at least £20 for every 200 miles driven.
The cost pressure at the pump appears to be feeding directly into used EV demand. Searches for ‘used EVs’ on AA Cars increased by 78% between March and May, compared with the previous three months.
The AA says the trend points to a clear correlation between rising fuel prices and increased consumer interest in used EVs, as motorists look for ways to shield themselves from volatile petrol and diesel costs. The three most searched used EV models on AA Cars were the Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model 3 and Kia Niro, all of which were first launched more than seven years ago, suggesting that demand is strongest for established, more affordable electric models.
As petrol prices climbed through Q2, searches for used EVs on AA Cars rose sharply, increasing 78% between March and May compared with the prior three months.
Edmund King, AA president, said: “When global fuel prices rise sharply, drivers feel it immediately at the forecourt.
“EV drivers, particularly those with access to home charging, have been better insulated from that volatility. That is now showing up in the used car market, where searches for electric vehicles on AA Cars have risen by more than 75% in the last three months.”
But he warned that not every driver is yet ready to switch tomorrow.
“Upfront costs, public charging prices and policy uncertainty still matter. But the economics of EV ownership are becoming harder to ignore particularly for those who can charge at home.”
The index also highlights that barriers to mass EV adoption remain. New EVs still remain expensive compared to some petrol equivalents, while used EVs moved from being 10% cheaper than petrol equivalents in Q1 to 3% more expensive in Q2, partly reflecting increased competition and rising demand in the used market.
Public charging remains another major challenge. While higher petrol prices made public charging relatively more attractive, ultra-rapid public charging was still 15% more expensive per mile than petrol, compared with 35% more expensive in Q1. This leaves a significant gap between drivers with access to home charging and those who depend on the public charging network.
The UK’s charging network continued to grow, with 121,262 EV chargers installed to date, following updated reporting methodology from Zapmap and the Department for Transport. This represents 40.42% of the Government’s 300,000 charging point target by 2030.
The index also found that EV reliability and driver confidence continue to improve. Running out of charge accounted for just 1.2% of AA EV callouts in Q2, down from 1.5% in Q1 and significantly below historic levels. EVs were also more likely to be fixed at the roadside, with 88.4% of EV callouts resolved at the roadside by AA patrols, compared with 84.6% for petrol and diesel vehicles.
Edmund King added: “The used EV market is becoming a critical part of the transition. Drivers are not only looking at new technology; they are looking for value, familiarity and lower running costs.
“But the benefits are still uneven. Drivers without driveways or access to cheaper overnight tariffs are not getting the same savings. Unless public charging becomes more affordable and accessible, the EV transition risks becoming a two-speed market.
“The Government has helped with the electric car grants and some manufacturers, such as Renault and Hyundai, have changed production to attract higher grants. However, fears about the proposed e-VED pay per mile from 2028 are still putting off some drivers.”
The AA says the current fuel price shock may give EV demand a short-term boost, but some of the gains in the Readiness Rating could ease if global energy disruption subsides. However, the experience of volatile pump prices is likely to influence longer-term buying habits, particularly among used car buyers seeking more predictable running costs.
There is also speculation that the 2030/35 ZEV mandate may be adjusted to give more time for motor manufactures to transition their production to zero emissions. The AA has always described the ZEV mandate as “challenging but ambitious” – it’s stressed that both consumers and industry need certainty.
