The UK’s transition towards electric cars has faced a major hurdle after new research showed most drivers do not even know the Government offers a grant to help them buy one.
A new study found that almost two-thirds of people looking to buy a car are unaware of the financial support that exists.
The survey, published this week, revealed that 64 per cent of active car shoppers had no knowledge of the Government’s Electric Car Grant.
According to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, electric vehicles currently make up just under 25 per cent of new car sales.
However, that is still below the 33 per cent target required under the Government’s Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, which will also see the banning of new petrol and diesel car sales from 2030.
The latest research suggested a lack of awareness about support schemes could be slowing progress.
September, which is traditionally one of the busiest months for car purchases due to new registration plates, saw a surge in interest in eligible electric vehicles.
During that month, enquiries for grant-qualifying electric models reached 28.8 per cent of all EV leads on the Carwow platform, up 23 per cent in March 2025 prior to the scheme announcement.
The grant hoped to encourage more drivers to buy an electric car, but drivers remained unaware of the promotion
| PA/GETTY
By December, interest in electric vehicles that qualified for the grant had fallen sharply to just 17 per cent.
The Carwow research suggested the complicated structure of the grant may be putting some drivers off, as 46 EVs qualify for some support, but only eight receive the maximum £3,750 discount.
Among drivers who were aware of the scheme, nearly three-quarters said they would be more likely to buy an electric car if every eligible model received the full £3,750 reduction.
Almost a quarter of drivers surveyed said electric vehicles are still simply too expensive for them to consider buying.
The ZEV mandate hopes to have 100 per cent electric car sales by 2030 | PA
Iain Reid, global content director at Carwow, said: “The grant clearly sparked interest when it launched, but the reality is that many drivers still don’t know it’s there.
“If three in five car buyers are unaware of the support available, it’s no surprise that momentum in interest in the grant has been difficult to maintain.”
Meanwhile, 31 per cent said cheaper or free public charging would encourage them to go electric, and the same proportion said exemptions from congestion charges or Clean Air Zones would influence their decision.
Ministers recently extended the home electric vehicle charger grant until March 2027, offering up to £500 off the price of installation, a rise from the previous £350.
The new grants offer drivers discounts of up to £3,750 off the cost of electric vehicles | PA
The research also highlighted large regional differences in how quickly electric vehicles are being adopted across the country.
The Berkshire area of Windsor and Maidenhead currently leads the UK, with electric vehicles accounting for 28 per cent of newly licensed cars in 2025.
Stockport follows with strong growth, making it the only northern area where adoption has reached double digits. Peterborough ranks third, with Milton Keynes and Swindon completing the top five.
