A red electric car with its charging port open and a charging cable plugged in.

‘Landmark moment’ as number of EVs on UK roads surpasses two million

Automotive Content Editor

5 minute read|29th Apr 2026

There are more than two million electric vehicles registered on Britain’s roads for the first time, according to new figures from the Department for Transport (DfT).

Hailed as a ‘landmark moment’ in the UK’s transition to electric motoring by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, DfT figures confirm that 2,012,000 zero emission vehicles were licenced for us in the UK as of December 2025.

That milestone figure marks a 31.2% increase on December 2024. Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that another 137,614 electric cars and 6,673 electric vans have been registered so far in 2026 to add to that milestone.

SMMT data also shows that electric cars make up 22.4% of this year’s UK new car market to date, up from 20.7% in 2025.

Electric car statistics and data 2026: UK insights and global trends

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One of the key factors driving the continued growth of electric vehicle sales is, according to the DfT, the Electric Car Grant. This Government-backed scheme sees up to £3,750 discounted off the purchase price of a new EV that meets specific criteria, including a purchase price below £50,000.

“As global fuel prices continue to fluctuate, making the switch [to electric] has never made more sense” said Ms Alexander.

RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said “It took around 14 years for a million battery-electric vehicles to be on the UK roads, so for this figure to double in just a further two is impressive.

“Wider availability of EVs, both on the new and used car markets, along with the electric car grant, will all be helping - and with fuel prices so high, there’s a very good reason to make the switch.

“But it remains the case that those who can’t charge at home, or who regularly drive beyond the range of their EV, are still paying a significant premium at public chargers. A sensible next step to further increase uptake would be to reduce VAT at public chargers, to match the rate levied on domestic electricity.”