Drivers show greater willingness to adopt electric vehicles (EVs), though inconsistent government policies threaten to hinder progress. The latest quarterly EV readiness index reaches 53.8 for the three months ending February, up from 48.8 and 47.5 in prior periods.
Improving Affordability Drives Shift
Affordability in the used EV market improves, alongside advances in addressing key barriers, boosting readiness. Used EV prices fall below equivalent petrol vehicle costs for the first time since the index began in September 2025. During the quarter, used EVs cost 10 percent less than comparable internal combustion engine models.
Increased supply from ex-fleet vehicles creates fresh opportunities for buyers. However, rapid depreciation challenges fleets and manufacturers, which depend on solid residual values for new sales and leasing.
Charging Network Expands, Easing Range Anxiety
The charging score rises to 43 from 40 in late 2025, supported by 118,321 public chargers—representing 39.4 percent of the 2030 target of 300,000. Callouts for running out of charge drop to just 1.5 percent, signaling declining range anxiety.
Confidence Gap Hinders Used EV Sales
Despite gains, a poll of over 12,000 drivers reveals only 3 percent feel confident buying used EVs. Enhanced information on battery health and reliability remains essential to boost demand.
Policy Uncertainty Poses Greatest Risk
Government policy clarity emerges as the top concern, particularly with the upcoming eVED system imposing a modest 3p per mile charge, plus the £195 annual VED for EV owners since April. Among polled drivers, 55 percent indicate eVED could deter them from purchasing new or used EVs.
The index monitors eight factors—such as used prices, charging access, consumer confidence, and policy stability—to gauge EV ownership practicality.
Edmund King OBE, AA president, stated: ‘Mixed messages from government—including uncertainty around future taxes such as eVED—risk denting confidence just as the market matures beyond early adopters. To sustain momentum, clearer long-term policy signals and better driver information are vital for informed switching decisions.’
