UK roads now host 2.01 million registered electric vehicles, according to new Department for Transport data.
The figures highlight how the Electric Car Grant has driven adoption since its July 2025 launch. The ECG has helped more than 100,000 drivers save between £1,500 and £3,750 on selected EVs priced up to £37,000.
Ford’s Puma Gen-E leads ECG sales, followed by the Vauxhall Frontera Electric, Renault 5, Skoda Elroq, and Volkswagen ID.3.
Record Growth Continues
EV registrations jumped 15% compared to 2025. March 2026 marked the highest monthly demand for battery-only vehicles on record.
Society of Motor Manufacturers data shows 137,614 electric cars and 6,673 electric vans have been registered since January.
EVs now capture 22.4% of the UK’s new car market – up 1.7% from last year. AutoTrader research found that EVs cost less on average than petrol equivalents for the first time.
The milestone reflects multiple factors beyond the ECG. Government investment of £7.5 billion supports electrification infrastructure, while rising fuel costs due to the Iran War have pushed drivers toward alternatives.
Charging Infrastructure Investment
The government’s funding extends beyond vehicle grants. Renters, landlords, and businesses can claim up to £500 toward home charger installation – covering roughly half the total costs.
EV drivers using dedicated home charging tariffs save up to £1,400 annually compared to petrol or diesel vehicles.
The charging network expansion aims to add hundreds of thousands of public chargers to the existing 119,000 – double the number of petrol pumps nationwide.
Official Response
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described the milestone as significant for the UK’s electric transition.
“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. And as global fuel prices continue to fluctuate, making the switch has never made more sense.”
Alexander emphasized affordability improvements through the ECG program.
“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.”
Tanya Sinclair, CEO of Electric Vehicles UK, echoed the transport secretary’s assessment of the timing benefits as fuel prices remain volatile globally.
