20250109: UK EV Sales: Will 2025 Be the Tipping Point?

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Will 2025 be the “Tipping Point” for Uk. EVs Car Sales?

Has the UK truly reached a critical juncture? 2025 is poised to be a pivotal year, with a confluence of factors – falling prices, expanding charging infrastructure, and evolving consumer preferences – potentially pushing EV adoption over the edge.

But are these factors enough to truly tip the scales in favor of electric cars?

Background: Uk. has Been Slow to Adopt EVs

Brexit’s lingering shadow and a gloomy political and economic landscape have chilled government, personal and corporate, investment appetites.

Here are the main reasons why Uk. EV adoption, has initially been slow:

Overcoming Resistance to Change
- Most people are reluctant to change which is realised by attitudes like “What’s wrong with what we have today” and “Why should I pay more than what I do today?”. No doubt if you asked people what they wanted in 1900, probably they would have said “Faster Horses” as they would only see the issues of petrol cars exploding and no where to by fuel.
Higher Prices for EVs
- Prices for new battery technology were extremely high to 1. to payback the manufacturers investment and 2. fund the journey to true mass production. At the start, there was no real competition it was only really Tesla that had true EVs and only expensive Model S and Model X. It took several years, around 2019 and after, before western manufacturers had real alternatives and naturally they focused on the high priced models.
Lack of Charging Infrastructure
- Coupled with the glacial pace of Britain’s rapid charging infrastructure rollout – a stark contrast to the rest of Europe – has hampered EV adoption. Navigating local charger schemes in affluent urban centers has proven a bureaucratic labyrinth.
Hedging Bets with Hybrids
- Again, it is only after 2020 that most buyers have gone straight for BEVs which are outselling plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) by a staggering “four to one” and that gap is accelerating.

2015-2024: Growth in Uk. EV Car Sales

2015-2024:Uk. EV Sales BEV v PHEV

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2025:The UK. EV "Tipping Point" is Coming

With the technology becoming more mature and a clearer mandate from government, things are likely to change.

Here are the main reasons why Uk. EV adoption is likely to increase significantly in the next few years:

Increasing consumer awareness of the benefits of EVs,
- More & more Early Adopters are sharing their positive experiences with friends and family. (See article below from Electrek where only 1% of EV owners say that they would go back to ICE cars).
- Much Lower Fuel Costs. Particularly, if you can charge at home and on nighttime tariffs, you can pay a fraction of the costs for Electricity compared with Petrol & Diesel.
- Significantly Lower servicing costs. With no Oils to change and hardly any Brake Pad & Disc wear, servicing an EV can be 25% of the servicing costs for ICE cars
- Reduced emissions. In congested Towns and Cities, the air that we breathe is becoming much less polluted.
Huge Choice of EVs
- Traditional & New Manufacturers. There are over 50 manufacturers making 100% Battery EVs, these cover traditional ones like VW, Kia, Hyundai, Mercedes, Renault, BMW etc. plus the newer mainly Chinese ones like BYD, Polestar, MG, Xpeng, Zeeker, etc. See SmartGrandad BEV Reviews and watch videos by Top Reviewers plus get Range / Efficiency data.
- Many, many different models. with over 150 models, covering Low to High prices, Micro’s to Large, Utility to Luxury, in 2025 there is certainly one or more that should meet your circumstances and needs. See SmartGrandad BEV Reviews and watch videos by Top Reviewers plus get Range / Efficiency data.

Price Parity with ICE Vehicles:
- Battery prices are projected to fall below $100 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) by 2026, which is considered the price parity threshold with ICE vehicles. This means that after 2026 it will be cheaper to manufacture an EV compared to an ICE car. And remember this cost reduction will also effect other vehicles, vans, lorries, buses, etc. that will also increasing become Electric.

Government policies,
- Reinstating the target of phasing out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.
- Fines for Non Compliant Vehicles: fines of up to £15,000 ($18,600) per non-compliant vehicle. Automakers selling cars in the UK had to reach 22% EV sales in 2024. This will be a huge Incentive for manufactures to bring in EV models that ordinary people will want and can afford.
- Other Benefits: While the PiCG is no longer available, there are still some support options for electric vehicle owners in the UK:
  - Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS): This scheme has been replaced by the EV Charge Point Grant, which provides funding towards the cost of installing electric vehicle smart charge points at domestic properties.
  - Workplace Charging Scheme: Supports businesses in installing EV charging points for their employees.
  - Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) tax advantages: Driving an electric company car can result in significant tax savings for employees