The UK has reached a significant milestone with over two million electric vehicles (EVs) registered as of early Tuesday. This marks a pivotal moment in the transition to electric mobility.
The Electric Car Grant has played a crucial role, helping more than 100,000 drivers save up to £3750 on new EVs. Demand for EVs surged by 15% compared to last year, with March 2026 recording the highest registrations ever.
Officials report that electric cars are now cheaper to buy on average than petrol models for the first time. The UK Government is investing £7.5 billion to support businesses transitioning to EVs, along with an additional £600 million dedicated to boosting charging infrastructure.
Currently, there are approximately 119,000 chargers available across the UK—double the number of petrol pumps. This expansion is critical as drivers can save up to £1,400 annually on running costs compared to petrol vehicles.
According to Octopus Electric Vehicles, used EVs experienced a remarkable 177% increase in demand year-on-year in March. The Jaecoo 7 SUV has emerged as the most popular lease car so far this year, with half of the top ten lease cars being fully electric.
Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport, stated, “Today, 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.” Ginny Buckley, CEO of Electrifying.com, added that government support has been instrumental in helping drivers make the switch.
Tanya Sinclair, CEO of Electric Vehicles UK, noted that this milestone demonstrates consumer readiness for electric options when they are affordable and accessible. However, Jarrod Birch from ChargeUK urged that now is not the time to slow down on manufacturers’ sales quotas.
The next steps involve further enhancing charging infrastructure and maintaining momentum in EV adoption across the country.