UK Reaches Two Million Electric Vehicle Registrations

The UK has passed a major milestone in its transition to cleaner transport, with two million electric vehicles now registered on its roads. Government figures also show that 100,000 motorists have taken advantage of financial support introduced last year to help with the switch.

According to the Department for Transport (DfT), the electric car grant, which offers up to £3,750 off the price of a new EV, is helping to tackle one of the biggest obstacles for buyers: the upfront cost. Since the scheme launched in July 2025, demand for electric vehicles has risen sharply, with a 10% increase recorded over the following six months.

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said: “As global fuel prices continue to fluctuate, making the switch has never made more sense. We’ve made it cheaper and easier than ever to buy an EV, helping over 100,000 drivers save up to £3,750 off the cost of a new electric car. We’re also investing £600 million to deliver hundreds of thousands of additional chargers to support this uptick and build on the 119,000 already available – that’s twice the number of petrol pumps.”

The latest data follows figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which reported that the total number of vehicles on UK roads reached a record 42.55 million in 2025. Of these, one in every 22 vehicles produces zero emissions.

The SMMT also highlighted the significant role businesses are playing in the shift to electric. While just over 10% of all cars are company-owned, more than half of zero-emission vehicles are registered to firms.

Tanya Sinclair, chief executive of Electric Vehicles UK, said the milestone reflects growing consumer confidence in the market.

“Two million electric vehicles in the UK shows that if the market offers choice, value and availability, drivers will snap it up,” she said.

“Policies and incentives all need to point drivers towards EVs too, which is why the electric car grant has put 100,000 more people behind the wheel, who might otherwise have waited.

“It is now more important than ever for Government to build on these foundations with cohesive policy. If it does, the market and the next two million EVs will follow."

Industry voices are also calling for continued momentum. Jarrod Birch, head of policy and public affairs at ChargeUK, said: “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.”

However, some have stressed that growth must be inclusive. Vicky Edmonds, chief executive of EVA England, warned that the transition should not leave certain groups behind.

“This can’t just be about targets and big headline numbers,” she said.

“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.”