Updated: 11 September 2026
Electric car ownership in the UK is accelerating.
New figures show there were 860,334 privately owned battery-electric cars on UK roads at the end of the first quarter of 2026 — an increase of 83,136 in just three months.
That represents growth of 10.7% since the end of 2025 and, according to analysis by the AA, the biggest quarterly increase in private EV ownership on record. Compared with the same period last year, private EV ownership was up by more than 271,000 cars.
The growth is also being reflected in the new-car market.
In August, total UK new-car registrations increased 13.7% year-on-year, while registrations of fully electric battery vehicles rose 27.7%. Battery-electric cars accounted for 29.8% of all new-car registrations during the month.
Plug-in hybrids grew even faster, with registrations up 39.8% compared with August 2025. SMMT
So, are British drivers finally becoming more comfortable with electric cars?
And what does the growth in EV ownership mean if you're thinking about buying, selling or transporting one?
Private EV Ownership Is Growing Fast
For years, one of the criticisms of the electric-car market was that much of the demand came from company-car and fleet users rather than ordinary private motorists.
That picture now appears to be changing.
At the end of March 2026, there were 860,334 privately owned battery-electric cars registered in the UK.
That compares with:
777,198 at the end of 2025
and:
588,952 in the first quarter of 2025
In other words, private EV ownership increased by approximately 46% in a year. The AA
Across all ownership types, Department for Transport figures show there were approximately 1.864 million zero-emission cars licensed in the UK at the end of March 2026, up 32.9% year-on-year. GOV.UK
The transition is no longer being driven solely by company fleets.
More private motorists are making the switch too.
Electric Cars Nearly Took 30% of the New-Car Market in August
The latest sales figures provide another indication of the pace of change.
The UK recorded 94,236 new-car registrations in August 2026, up from 82,908 a year earlier.
Of those:
28,063 were battery-electric vehicles
That gave electric cars a 29.8% market share for the month.
By comparison, battery-electric vehicles accounted for 26.5% of the market in August 2025.
Plug-in hybrids also performed strongly, rising from 9,803 registrations to 13,707 — an increase of 39.8%. SMMT
It is worth keeping August in perspective because it is traditionally a quieter month for new-car registrations ahead of September's number-plate change.
Even so, the broader trend is clear.
Between January and August 2026, the UK registered 355,746 new battery-electric cars, representing a 25.6% share of the new-car market. SMMT
Why Are More People Buying Electric Cars?
There probably isn't one single explanation.
Several things are happening simultaneously.
More EVs to Choose From
The electric-car market has expanded enormously.
Drivers can now choose from:
small city cars
family hatchbacks
SUVs
performance cars
premium vehicles
vans
increasingly affordable Chinese and European models
EV ownership is therefore no longer limited to buyers looking at a handful of expensive models.
Used EV Prices Are Becoming More Competitive
The used market is becoming particularly important.
Earlier AA research found that used electric cars were around 10% cheaper than comparable petrol cars during the first quarter of 2026, helping make EV ownership more accessible to households that would not necessarily buy a brand-new vehicle. The AA
That matters because most UK motorists buy their cars second-hand.
Petrol and Diesel Costs Remain Volatile
Fuel prices have also become another consideration.
Periods of sharply rising petrol and diesel prices make the relatively predictable cost of home charging more attractive to some drivers.
The AA has suggested that concern about fuel prices may be contributing to stronger interest in EV ownership. The AA
Charging Infrastructure Is Expanding
The UK charging network continues to grow.
That does not mean every charging problem has been solved, particularly for households without driveways or dedicated parking.
But the number of public chargers continues to increase, and newer electric vehicles generally offer substantially longer ranges and faster charging than early models.
For many drivers, that is gradually reducing one of the biggest barriers to switching.
The Used Electric-Car Market Is Growing Even Faster
Perhaps one of the most important EV trends isn't happening in new-car showrooms at all.
It's happening in the used-car market.
During the second quarter of 2026, 110,761 used battery-electric cars changed hands in the UK.
That was an increase of 67% compared with the same period a year earlier.
Used EVs captured a record 5.5% share of the second-hand market, up from 3.3% in Q2 2025. SMMT
That means more than one in every 18 used-car buyers chose a fully electric car during the quarter.
Petrol and diesel still dominate used-car sales, accounting for almost nine in ten transactions, so electric vehicles remain a relatively small part of the overall second-hand market.
But the direction of travel is significant.
As more lease and company EVs reach the end of their first ownership cycle, increasing numbers are entering the used market.
That gives buyers more choice across different ages, mileages and price points.
What Should You Check When Buying a Used EV?
Buying an electric car is similar to buying any other used vehicle, but there are several
additional things worth checking.
Battery Health
The battery is one of the most expensive components of an electric vehicle.
Ask whether the vehicle provides a battery-health report and check the manufacturer's battery warranty.
A battery does not normally suddenly become unusable once it starts ageing, but capacity can gradually reduce over time.
Remaining Battery Warranty
Many manufacturers provide separate warranties for the high-voltage battery.
Check:
how many years remain
the mileage limit
what level of battery degradation is covered
Charging Cables
Confirm that the charging cables supplied with the vehicle are present and working.
Replacement cables can be expensive.
Charging Compatibility
Check which charging connectors and speeds the car supports.
Two EVs may look similar on paper but have substantially different rapid-charging capabilities.
Service and Repair History
Electric cars have fewer moving engine components, but they still require maintenance.
Tyres, suspension, brakes, air-conditioning systems and other components still wear.
A complete vehicle history remains important.
What About EV Depreciation?
This is one of the more complicated parts of the EV market.
Some electric cars have experienced substantial depreciation over recent years, particularly as manufacturers cut new-car prices and competition increased.
That can be frustrating for existing owners.
But for someone buying second-hand, depreciation can create an opportunity.
A vehicle that was expensive when new may become considerably more affordable after two or three years.
The rapid growth in used-EV transactions suggests more buyers are beginning to take advantage of that.
EV Growth Is Spreading Beyond Traditional Hotspots
Another interesting part of the latest ownership figures is where the growth is happening.
It is no longer concentrated only in affluent areas of London and the South East.
According to the AA's analysis, Wales recorded the fastest annual private-EV ownership growth among the UK nations at 55.1%.
Within England, the East Midlands recorded annual growth of 58.8%, followed closely by the North West, West Midlands, North East and Yorkshire and the Humber. Transport and Energy
That suggests electric-car adoption is becoming geographically broader.
This matters for the wider automotive industry too.
More EVs across more areas means dealerships, garages, recovery operators and vehicle transport providers increasingly need to be prepared to work with electric vehicles.
Transporting an Electric Car Is Slightly Different
As more people buy EVs from dealerships, auctions and private sellers across the country, more electric vehicles will also need to be transported.
In many cases, transporting an EV is no different from transporting another car.
However, there are several things a transporter may need to know.
Battery Charge
If the vehicle needs to be driven onto a transporter, having sufficient battery charge can make collection easier.
Can the Vehicle Move?
You should tell the transport provider whether the EV:
starts
selects drive
rolls freely
steers
brakes
has sufficient battery charge
This is particularly important if the vehicle is damaged or has a completely discharged battery.
Vehicle Weight
Electric cars can be heavier than equivalent petrol or diesel models because of their battery packs.
That can affect transporter payload calculations, particularly when multiple vehicles are being carried.
Never Assume an EV Can Simply Be Towed
Many electric vehicles have specific manufacturer instructions for towing and recovery.
Incorrect towing could potentially damage drivetrain components.
If an EV is broken down, damaged or unable to move under its own power, the safest approach is normally to follow the manufacturer's recovery guidance and use suitable professional equipment.
Buying an EV From Another Part of the UK?
The expanding used-EV market means buyers now have access to far more vehicles outside their immediate area.
You might find the right electric car at:
a dealership hundreds of miles away
an online auction
a trade auction
a private seller
another dealership within a dealer group
Driving across the country to collect it isn't always convenient.
Vehicle transport can provide another option.
With RecoBuddy, customers and businesses can post their vehicle movement requirements and receive quotes from independent vehicle transport providers.
You can provide the collection and delivery locations, vehicle details and preferred timing, then compare the quotes submitted by available providers.
For electric vehicles, make sure the job description clearly explains the vehicle's condition and whether it can be driven onto the transporter.
What Happens If an Electric Car Breaks Down?
Electric cars can still break down.
The problem may involve:
a flat 12V battery
a discharged traction battery
charging system failure
punctures
electrical faults
collision damage
suspension or mechanical problems
If the vehicle cannot be driven safely, professional vehicle recovery may be required.
Because EV manufacturers can have specific recovery procedures, it is important that the provider understands what type of vehicle they are moving.
When posting a recovery requirement, make it clear that the vehicle is electric and include its make, model and condition.
Are EVs Taking Over the UK Car Market?
Not yet.
Despite the rapid growth, petrol remains the largest individual new-car fuel type.
In August 2026, petrol cars accounted for 38.3% of new registrations, compared with 29.8% for fully electric vehicles.
Diesel has become a much smaller part of the new-car market, accounting for just 4.8%. SMMT
The used market is even more heavily weighted towards traditional engines.
In Q2 2026, petrol and diesel vehicles still accounted for 86.7% of used-car transactions. SMMT
So the UK vehicle fleet will contain petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric cars side-by-side for many years.
What is changing is the speed at which electric vehicles are becoming part of normal everyday motoring.
What Does This Mean for RecoBuddy?
For the vehicle transport and recovery industry, the growth of electric vehicles is not simply another sales statistic.
It changes the mix of vehicles being moved.
Dealers will increasingly transport EV stock between branches.
Auction buyers will purchase more EVs remotely.
Consumers will buy used electric cars from further away.
Damaged and non-running EVs will require appropriate recovery equipment.
And transport providers will increasingly need to understand the practical differences between moving combustion-engine vehicles and electric ones.
RecoBuddy's role remains the same: providing a marketplace where customers and businesses can connect with independent vehicle transport and recovery providers.
But the vehicles moving through that marketplace are changing.
The UK EV Market Is Entering a New Stage
Electric cars are no longer a niche part of the UK automotive market.
More than 860,000 battery-electric cars are now privately owned, more than 110,000 used EVs changed hands in just three months, and fully electric cars accounted for almost 30% of new registrations in August. The AA
There are still genuine barriers. UK electric car ownership
Charging remains more difficult for drivers without off-street parking, confidence around buying used EVs remains relatively low, and the economics of electric ownership vary considerably depending on how and where a vehicle is charged. The AA
But the latest numbers suggest the transition is moving beyond early adopters.
For dealerships, transport providers and motorists alike, electric vehicles are becoming an increasingly normal part of the UK car market.
And that trend looks likely to continue.