File this under “things that would’ve sounded wildly optimistic a decade ago” – the UK now has more than two million electric vehicles (EVs) on the road. Yup, there are now 2,012,000 zero-emission machines quietly (well, almost quietly) zipping about the nation’s streets, according to the Department for Transport. And this isn’t one of those slow-burn stats either. A hefty 528,000 of those vehicles were registered in 2025 alone, spanning everything from family cars to buses and even the odd electric truck – thanks GRIDSERVE Electric Freightway.
So if you’re wondering whether people are actually buying into the whole electric thing, the answer is a resounding yes. In 2025, EVs made up a record 23.4% of all new car registrations. That’s nearly one in four new cars, which is hardly the preserve of early adopters and tech obsessives. And here’s the real inflection point: according to recent pricing research by AutoTrader, the average EV is now cheaper than the equivalent petrol-powered car.
A little help from the government hasn’t hurt either. The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate has given carmakers a clear direction of travel while the Electric Car Grant, launched last summer, has knocked up to £3,750 off the price that customers pay for a new electric car. More than 100,000 drivers have benefited from this scheme and that’s before the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have shifted the landscape further.
The war in Iran has sent global oil prices on a rollercoaster, pushing UK petrol and diesel costs sharply upwards. And, just like the oil crisis in 1973, consumers are starting to look for ways to protect themselves from further price shocks.
Speaking about the milestone, Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport, said: “Today, over two million EVs are now registered across the UK – a key moment in the UK’s transition to electric, backed by £7.5 billion in government funding. And as global fuel prices continue to fluctuate, making the switch has never made more sense.”
Daniel Kunkel, CEO of GRIDSERVE, added: “This milestone shows that electric mobility in the UK is no longer a future ambition – it’s happening now. Supported by smart policy, private investment and innovation, drivers are quickly embracing electric vehicles when the experience is seamless and reliable. At GRIDSERVE, we’ve been proud to invest ahead of demand, building a nationwide charging network designed around what customers value most: ultra fast charging, dependable performance and effortless convenience, so that making the switch to electric feels easy and confidence inspiring.”
“We’re continuing to build on that confidence through constant innovation. From the opening of our new Electric Forecourt at Markham Vale this summer, to our dedicated testing facility that drives ever higher reliability and the early development of our Electric Freightway network, we’re focused on supporting every journey – from everyday driving to the vital electrification of the UK’s heavy goods sector.”
To summarise, fewer worries, faster charging and a network that’s actually ready when you are. So, there we have it: two million EVs down but with 2030 looming, plenty more to come.
