The UK Government has announced that more than 2 million EVs are now registered across the UK.
New figures released this week, show EV adoption has been supported by the government’s Electric Car Grant (ECG), which has helped over 100,000 drivers access discounts of up to £3,750 on new vehicles.
The policy has contributed to a 15% year-on-year increase in EV numbers, with March 2026 recording the highest monthly demand to date.
Jarrod Birch, head of policy and public affairs, ChargeUK said: “Two million EVs and counting, cheaper vehicles and attractive running costs, even using public charging thanks to surging petrol prices. It could not be clearer that now is the time for government to hit the accelerator pedal on the EV transition, not hit the brake by watering down manufacturers’ sales quotas. It can do so by fixing the policy issues pushing up public charging costs, ensuring millions more can make the switch and get off the fossil fuel price rollercoaster.”
The ECG, launched in July 2025, has been designed to address one of the primary barriers to EV adoption: the high upfront cost of an EV. In the six months following its introduction, EV demand has risen by 10%, according to government data. Recent figures from Auto Trader indicate that, on average, electric cars are now cheaper to purchase than petrol equivalents for the first time, driven in part by the grant’s subsidies.
Vicky Edmonds, chief executive officer for EVA England, said: “2 million EVs is a huge milestone and shows what’s possible when the right incentives are in place. But this can’t just be about targets and big headline numbers. Getting the transition right means reaching the people who’ve so far been left out. Particularly those without easy access to home charging who face higher costs, and many middle- and lower-income households. That’s what will ultimately determine whether this shift works for everyday drivers, not just those already able to make the switch.”
Among the most popular models purchased under the scheme are the Ford Puma Gen-E, Vauxhall Frontera Electric, Renault 5, Skoda Elroq and Volkswagen ID.3.
The government has committed £7.5 billion to support businesses transitioning to electric mobility, alongside broader efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels amid volatile global fuel prices linked to geopolitical tensions, including ongoing instability in the Middle East.
Infrastructure rollout is also being expanded to support rising EV uptake. The government allocated £600 million in 2025 to deploy additional charging infrastructure, building on a network that now exceeds 119,000 public chargers, nearly double the number of fuel pumps nationwide.
Additional incentives are available for residential and commercial charging, with renters, landlords and businesses eligible for grants of up to £500 per installation. Officials estimate that EV drivers can save up to £1,400 annually on running costs compared with petrol vehicles, particularly when using lower-cost domestic electricity.
The latest milestone highlights accelerating momentum in the UK’s EV market, as policy support, falling costs and infrastructure expansion continue to drive adoption across both consumers and businesses.
