Electric Vehicle Adoption across the UK bouncing back, shows PwC’s eReadiness survey 2025

• The UK climbs the ranks of the eReadiness survey 2025, placing fifth out of 13 European countries – the second largest increase among all 28 countries in this year’s survey.  
• Globally, the UK ranked 7th place, with Norway, Singapore and Netherlands achieving the top three scores. 
• Reintroduction of electric car grants, increasing choice of more affordable models, price reduction of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and the rollout of EV infrastructure have driven the improvement.  
• 70% of UK respondents plan on buying an electric car within five years. 
• The main barriers to EV adoption remain linked to ‘performance anxiety’ and cost.  

The UK continues to make significant strides in electric vehicle (EV) adoption, climbing to fifth place out of 13 European countries in PwC’s 2025 eReadiness survey. This marks the second largest increase among all 28 countries surveyed, highlighting the UK's growing commitment to sustainable transportation. 

The resurgence in the UK's eReadiness score is attributed to several key factors, including the reinstatement of electric car grants, an expanding range of more affordable EV models, significant price reductions in both new and used EVs, and ongoing advancements in charging infrastructure across the UK. 

The PwC index measures how ‘eReady’, i.e. how supportive, a country’s market conditions are towards the adoption and usage of EVs. This is evaluated based on four factors: government incentives, infrastructure, supply, and demand.  

Key Findings from the eReadiness survey 2025:

• Continued Growth in EV Adoption: Government support and fierce price competition among automakers are propelling EV adoption.  
• 70% of UK respondents planning on buying an electric car within five years (up from 65% last year), while those not planning to own an EV (EV sceptics) has fallen from 26% last year to 18%.  
• Charging infrastructure continues to roll out at pace across all areas of the country - the UK network continues its rapid expansion, increasing the total amount of charge points by 26% compared to 2024 and up 29% on faster chargers (50 kW and above). Government changes to infrastructure funding and streamlining grid connections will help accelerate this further.  
• Government has launched additional incentives with the introduction of the Electric Car Grant, offsetting the removal of some EV exemptions to vehicle excise duty in April 2025. This has resulted in improving the UK’s eReadiness ranking vs other countries globally.  
• Satisfaction among EV owners is high (88%) with over half (55%) likely to recommend one to friends and family.  
• The main barriers to adoption remain linked to ‘performance anxiety’ and cost. The top four factors that have discouraged people are recharge time, limited range, uncertainty about battery life, and higher upfront cost.   

Dom Tribe, Automotive Sector Leader and Partner, PwC UK, said: 

"As the automotive sector continues to embrace the electrification wave, we're witnessing encouraging progress in the adoption of EVs. With improvements in vehicle performance, reductions in costs, and expansion of the charging infrastructure, we stand at the threshold of a renewed upward inflection point in EV adoption.  

“As we steer towards the future, strategic partnerships between the government, OEMs, suppliers and infrastructure providers will be vital in offering a seamless EV transition. Chinese entrants to the market will make a significant impact to affordability, providing a greater choice of more affordable EVs for the consumer. Looking ahead, the industry needs robust long-term support, complemented by education and engagement, to nurture trust among UK consumers, tackle ‘performance anxiety’ and drive EVs forward as the cornerstone of sustainable transport.  

“The UK's progress in EV adoption is pivotal in achieving national Net Zero goals, as digital innovations and policy support widespread consumer and industry shifts towards sustainable transportation solutions.” 

Panos Stergiopoulos, PwC UK E-mobility leader, said:

"It is exciting to observe the continued progress of the e-mobility industry. Not just in terms of current EV sales, but also the positive "leading indicators" such as high EV owner satisfaction, growing willingness of prospective buyers to choose an EV and an expanding choice of vehicle models complimented by a rapidly expanding nationwide charging infrastructure. All these elements collectively paint a promising picture for the future of e-mobility and e-readiness in the UK.  

“We are at the cusp of achieving mass market EV adoption, but it is important to maintain momentum, especially if the UK is to meet its Net Zero targets. While technological advancements are poised to address common hurdles like high upfront costs and ‘range anxiety’, there is still more work to be done. The industry must intensify its efforts to boost customer engagement and awareness, improve the overall customer experience, and dispel uncertainties surrounding EV operating costs, maintenance, resale value, and battery longevity. Progress is evident, but the journey must continue." 

About the e-readiness survey

The study consists of two components. The first is a survey that canvassed some 17,000 drivers across 28 countries in the following regions: Asia-Pacific (APAC); Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA); and the Americas (including Brazil, Canada and the United States). The second component of the research is a numerical index covering 28 countries and is based on our assessment of progress on four key areas: government incentives, infrastructure, supply and demand. 

The study categorises consumer readiness for electric vehicles (EVs) into three groups: ‘EV Owners,’ ‘Prospects,’ and ‘Sceptics’ and seeks to better understand the barriers to EV adoption and where action could be taken to reduce them.  

Read the full report.