Number of electric vehicles on UK roads surpasses key milestone for first time

WorldTechnology
29 Apr 2026 • 11:01 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Number of electric vehicles on UK roads surpasses key milestone for first time

  • The number of electric vehicles (EVs) on UK roads has surpassed two million for the first time, according to Department for Transport figures.
  • As of the end of December last year, 2,012,000 zero-emission vehicles were licensed for use in the UK, marking a 31.2% increase compared to the previous year.
  • Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander hailed this as a "key moment" in the UK's transition to electric motoring, supported by £7.5 billion in government funding.
  • More than 100,000 drivers have benefited from the Government’s Electric Car Grant, which provides a saving on the purchase price of a new EV.
  • RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis noted the impressive rise but suggested reducing VAT on public chargers to match domestic electricity rates to further increase uptake.

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