Private EV ownership rises 46% in a year as drivers continue to make the switch

The number of private car buyers going electric has increased by almost 50% in the last year, according to new AA data.

Analysis of DVLA figures by the drivers’ organisation shows that there were 777,198 privately owned EVs registered in the UK in the final quarter of 2025, up from 533,039 in the same period in 2024.

Uptake increased across the whole of the UK, with average growth of 45.8%, and the data showed the largest change in areas that have historically lagged behind.

Private EV uptake is seen as vital to the UK’s aims to decarbonise transport. In recent years EV sales have been dominated by the fleet and company car sectors, where tax benefits make them a far more attractive option than petrol or diesel. Private buyers, however, have received far fewer incentives.

AA president Edmund King said the growth in private sales showed that interest in EVs was being driven by more than just corporate tax incentives.

UK-wide, Wales saw the sharpest increase in private EV ownership, rising 53.7% between Q4 2024 and Q4 2025. Behind it, Scotland saw growth of 54.7% and England 45.4%. While uptake remains lowest in Northern Ireland, there it also rose 44.9%.

The analysis also broke the English data down by region and revealed the differing rates of growth across the country. Areas where uptake has previously been lower recorded the sharpest growth while the shift has slowed in early-adopting regions, such as London.

The North-West recorded a 58.8% increase over 12 months, with 80.365 privately owned EVs registered. The East Midlands saw similar growth, at 58.1%, up to 62,607 cars. Meanwhile, the South-East and London, which have led England’s EV uptake saw shifts of 39.6% and 24.4% respectively. The AA said this likely reflected the capital’s position as an early adopter of EVs, meaning growth is being measured against a more established ownership base.

Despite slower growth the South East remains the English region with the highest number of privately owned EVs, with 139,578 vehicles in Q4 2025.

Edmund King said: “Private EV ownership continues to accelerate, with more than 244,000 additional electric cars registered to private owners compared with the same period last year.

“What is encouraging is that the strongest growth is now being seen outside some of the more established EV areas. This suggests the switch to electric is broadening across the country and these figures are even more compelling as they relate to private sales rather than fleet or company sales that might be influenced by further tax incentives.”

With fewer incentives for private buyers, vehicle price has been seen as an obstacle to private ownership, with EVs often more expensive than petrol or diesel counterparts. However, the past 12 months have seen an increase in more affordable EVs and those offering price parity with petrol models.

The early months of 2026 and recent fuel price volatility have also seen more motorists becoming aware of the running cost benefits of EVs.

Separate AA analysis has shown a 43% rise in views of secondhand EVs on AA Cars between March and April 2026, against a backdrop of rising fuel prices.

The AA’s latest EV Readiness Index, published in March 2026, also found that used EV prices were on average 10% cheaper than petrol in Q1 2026 and that conditions for switching to electric are improving.

King noted that while the Index results were positive, the transition “remains fragile” due to variable confidence around charging and vehicle longevity.

He added: “More EVs on driveways is good news, but the growth in ownership needs to be matched by growth in confidence.”