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Why electric vehicles are gaining prominence in the UK?
Does it feel as if the world is heading rapidly towards electric car adoption at a speed you can barely comprehend? Here's why it's happening.

Words by: Andrew Woodhouse
Published on 16 January 2025 | 0 min read
To some, the sheer number of new electric vehicles on sale doesn’t seem to match the buying public's attitude towards them. Who, you might ask, is buying all these electric cars?
Like them or not, electric vehicles are steadily gaining traction in the UK, ushered in by a combination of government policies, industry shifts, and evolving consumer preferences. In our latest video, Rory Reid explores the factors driving electric adoption in the UK.
Like them or not, electric vehicles are steadily gaining traction in the UK, ushered in by a combination of government policies, industry shifts, and evolving consumer preferences. In our latest video, Rory Reid explores the factors driving electric adoption in the UK.
Government mandates are a major driving force
The UK government has set net-zero targets, including the mandate that, by 2035, all new cars sold must be fully electric.
This mandate includes incremental targets along the way. Car manufacturers had to ensure 22 per cent of their sales were purely electric in 2024, with that figure rising annually. This year (2025) it needs to be 28 per cent, then 33 per cent in 2026 – going on and up until the final deadline in 2035. Non-compliance will mean fines of £15,000 per petrol or diesel car sold over the limit. To meet these mandates, manufacturers are reshaping their product lines, often at the expense of popular petrol or diesel models. Iconic vehicles like the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo are being discontinued as companies redirect investment toward developing their future electric lines. Adding to this pressure are forthcoming Euro 7 regulations, which impose stricter emission standards and will make petrol and diesel cars more expensive to produce, further encouraging automakers to focus on electric.
This mandate includes incremental targets along the way. Car manufacturers had to ensure 22 per cent of their sales were purely electric in 2024, with that figure rising annually. This year (2025) it needs to be 28 per cent, then 33 per cent in 2026 – going on and up until the final deadline in 2035. Non-compliance will mean fines of £15,000 per petrol or diesel car sold over the limit. To meet these mandates, manufacturers are reshaping their product lines, often at the expense of popular petrol or diesel models. Iconic vehicles like the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo are being discontinued as companies redirect investment toward developing their future electric lines. Adding to this pressure are forthcoming Euro 7 regulations, which impose stricter emission standards and will make petrol and diesel cars more expensive to produce, further encouraging automakers to focus on electric.
We still have a long way to go
Despite all these efforts, the UK still lags behind targets. Electric vehicles accounted for just 18 per cent of UK car sales in 2023, falling short of the 22 per cent needed.
This has already resulted in significant fines for manufacturers and contributed to huge changes like the closure of Vauxhall’s Luton van factory. It’s an uphill battle for manufacturers to do their part, made no easier by the decision to phase out financial incentives like purchase grants, which had previously help make electric cars more affordable. Huge steps have been made for the UK’s charging infrastructure and battery technology, but there’s still a way to go before electric fully latches on.
This has already resulted in significant fines for manufacturers and contributed to huge changes like the closure of Vauxhall’s Luton van factory. It’s an uphill battle for manufacturers to do their part, made no easier by the decision to phase out financial incentives like purchase grants, which had previously help make electric cars more affordable. Huge steps have been made for the UK’s charging infrastructure and battery technology, but there’s still a way to go before electric fully latches on.
Choice of electric cars is improving
That said, the electric market is rapidly expanding now, offering consumers more choice than ever.
New technology is improving battery life, charging speeds, and overall vehicle performance. More affordable brands are entering the market, making electric accessible to a wider audience. And established manufacturers are also diversifying their electric models, from compact city cars to family-friendly SUVs and luxury options. All of this will help electric grow in appeal. It may not be for everyone, but it’s looking like the best option for more and more people as we go.
New technology is improving battery life, charging speeds, and overall vehicle performance. More affordable brands are entering the market, making electric accessible to a wider audience. And established manufacturers are also diversifying their electric models, from compact city cars to family-friendly SUVs and luxury options. All of this will help electric grow in appeal. It may not be for everyone, but it’s looking like the best option for more and more people as we go.