The UK has reached a significant milestone with over two million electric vehicles registered. This marks a pivotal moment in the transition to electric mobility. The increase reflects growing consumer interest and government support.
The Electric Car Grant (ECG) has played a critical role. It has helped more than 100,000 drivers save up to £3,750 on new EV purchases. Demand for electric vehicles surged by 15% compared to last year.
March 2026 saw the highest demand for EVs ever recorded. Electric cars are now cheaper to buy on average than petrol models for the first time. This shift is supported by a £7.5 billion investment from the UK Government to aid businesses transitioning to electric vehicles.
Charging infrastructure is also expanding rapidly. The government is investing £600 million to deliver hundreds of thousands of additional chargers. Currently, there are 119,000 chargers available—twice the number of petrol pumps in the UK.
Used EVs are gaining popularity as well. There was a remarkable 177% surge in demand for used EVs in March compared to last year, according to Octopus Electric Vehicles. The Jaecoo 7 SUV has emerged as the most popular lease car of 2026 so far.
Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport, stated, “Today, over two million EVs are now registered across the UK—a landmark moment in the UK’s transition to electric, backed by £7.5 billion in government funding.” Ginny Buckley, CEO of Electrifying.com, emphasized the importance of government support through initiatives like the Electric Car Grant.
Tanya Sinclair, CEO of Electric Vehicles UK, noted that this milestone shows drivers will embrace electric options if they offer choice and value. Meanwhile, Jarrod Birch from ChargeUK urged the government not to slow down efforts towards this transition.
The future looks promising as more drivers shift towards electric vehicles and embrace sustainable transportation options.
