UK EV Market Review
2025 was the year electric driving stopped feeling like a niche hobby and started behaving like the default. More drivers joined the club, more infrastructure arrived, and the conversation shifted from “Can I?” to “How easy is it, really?”.
This page distils the biggest signals from 2025 and turns them into a simple outlook for 2026. No noise. Just what matters to drivers, company car drivers, and anyone who wants charging to feel dependable.
The headline stats that defined 2025
EV adoption stayed on the front foot
UK registrations for fully electric cars hit more than 426,000 across 2025, and the total number of fully electric cars on UK roads reached around 1.75 million.
That is a powerful indicator of confidence, especially as the used EV market also strengthened through the year.
Public charging cleared a major milestone
The UK public charging network reached over 87,000 charge points in 2025, although the pace of rollout varied by region and project type.
Ultra-rapid charging grew strongly, with around 9,800 ultra-rapid devices reported by late 2025.
Driver satisfaction improved
Driver satisfaction with public charging rose to an average of 69 out of 100 in 2025, an uplift on the previous year.
This is not the same as “problem solved”, but it is a useful sign that reliability, site design and overall experience are moving in the right direction.
Charging hubs became the new favourite
Purpose-built charging hubs continued to rise as the preferred “stop and go” format for many drivers, overtaking traditional motorway service areas in popularity.
The reason is simple. Better layout, more bays, and fewer compromises when you are travelling.
What changed in policy and cost
The Electric Car Grant returned with meaningful support
A refreshed government grant offers up to £3,750 off eligible electric cars, depending on banding and criteria, helping reduce the entry cost for new buyers.
A “pay-per-mile” proposal entered the conversation for 2028
Government consultation activity in late 2025 set out plans for a mileage-based charge for electric and plug-in hybrid cars from April 2028.
Whether you love it or loathe it, the key point for 2026 is this: cost clarity and transparency will matter more than ever, because drivers are watching the total bill.
Source: policy consultation (GOV.UK)
Additional context: Budget coverage (Auto Trader)
The 2026 outlook: what it means for drivers
Expect “more” and “better” to diverge
- More charge points will continue to arrive, especially ultra-rapid and destination locations.
- Better will be defined by reliability, live availability, and frictionless payment, not just a bigger map pin count.
In 2026, drivers will reward the brands that remove steps, remove surprises, and make charging feel routine.
On-street charging should accelerate, but not overnight
On-street projects linked to local authority funding are beginning to land, with further acceleration expected. The reality is that delivery pace will still vary by region.
The winners will be the places that make it easy for renters and those without driveways to charge near home, without turning it into a weekly scavenger hunt.
What ONEEV believes the market will demand next
- Trustworthy pricing that is clear before you plug in, not a surprise afterwards.
- Live availability that reduces wasted journeys and wasted time.
- Secure in-app payments that keep the experience consistent across networks.
- One place to manage charging, rather than juggling multiple apps and logins.
If you are building for drivers, the goal is not to add features. The goal is to remove friction.
Practical next steps for 2026
If you are a new EV driver
- Plan your regular routes around dependable charging hubs where possible.
- Prioritise networks and locations with consistently good uptime.
- Keep payment simple so you are not troubleshooting at the kerb in the rain.
If you are a company car driver
- Make cost predictability a priority. Public charging can vary sharply by site and speed.
- Use tools that reduce admin. Fewer apps, fewer receipts, fewer headaches.
- Choose an experience that makes charging feel like a quick pit stop, not a project.
Explore more from ONEEV
• How ONEEV works
• Download ONEEV
• EV charging guides
• Pricing and payments
• AI information page
Want 2026 to feel simpler? Use one app to find charge points, check what matters, and keep the experience consistent when you are out and about.
Start here: Download ONEEV or learn more at How it works.
FAQs
How many public EV charge points are there in the UK now?
Reporting in late 2025 put the UK at over 87,000 public charge points, although rollout pace differs by region and charge type.
What is ultra-rapid charging and why does it matter?
Ultra-rapid usually refers to 150 kW+ charging. It matters because it cuts stop time on longer journeys and supports high-throughput charging hubs.
Is there a grant available for electric cars in the UK?
Yes. The government provides a grant offering up to £3,750 off eligible models depending on criteria and banding.
What is the proposed pay-per-mile charge for EVs?
A government consultation published in late 2025 outlined a mileage-based charge for electric and plug-in hybrid cars, expected to take effect from April 2028.
What should drivers focus on in 2026?
Reliability, live availability, and payment simplicity. The best charging experience is the one that removes steps and removes surprises.
Acknowledgement: detailed charging network and market statistics referenced in this overview were compiled using datasets provided by zap-map.
