More than a third of young adults want to learn to drive in electric vehicles, according to new research from BYD.
The Chinese automaker surveyed 2,000 UK residents about EV driving instruction preferences. Among respondents aged 18-34, 36% said they would choose an electric car over a traditional gas-powered vehicle for their driving lessons.
Belfast showed the strongest interest — 40% of potential learners there prefer EVs. But the city faces an infrastructure gap with just 54 charging stations per 100,000 residents.
In Wrexham, 32% want EV instruction despite having only 33.2 chargers per 100,000 people.
London ranks third with 19% of learners favoring electric vehicles. The capital leads in charging infrastructure with 765.2 stations per 100,000 residents.
Interest remains significant across other UK cities:
- Brighton and Hove: 17%
- Chelmsford: 16%
- Portsmouth: 16%
- Birmingham, Glasgow, Leicester: 14% each
- Norwich: 13%
“Our research shows that younger drivers, especially Gen Z and Millennials, are really embracing electric vehicles,” said Steve Beattie, BYD UK’s sales and marketing director. “Their interest in learning to drive in EVs is driven by a mix of excitement for new technology and a desire to make more environmentally conscious choices.”
Beattie emphasized the need for infrastructure investment, particularly in high-demand areas like Belfast and Wrexham where charging options remain limited.
“As the UK heads towards its 2035 target for zero-emission vehicles, EVs will play a much bigger role in driving education,” he added. “Driving schools will need to continue supporting this shift by adding EVs to their fleets, keeping up with the growing interest from learners.”
BYD has become the UK’s fastest-growing car manufacturer in 2024, selling more than 8,700 vehicles — a 658% increase year-over-year. The company expanded its UK dealer network from 14 to 60 locations since entering the market in 2023, with further expansion planned for 2025.
The Atto 3 leads BYD’s sales, while the Dolphin model dominates the retail sector.
