Almost half of motorists are set to make their next car all-electric, according to a new survey of nearly 20,000 drivers.
Six months after the Renault 5 was named UK Car of the Year, the award organisers have found an increasingly positive attitude towards EVs.
Working with consumer research group Automotive Insights, UKCOTY questioned 19,000 UK drivers about their views on electric vehicles. When asked about the fuel type for their next car, 46% said they were “likely” to choose an EV. That figure is up from the 38% in the Automotive Insights and Research Services (AIRS) Annual Report 2025.
The data reflects wider trends in both the new and used car markets, where demand for EVs has grown rapidly. The latest data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows that in July EV sales jumped 44.5% year-on-year and accounted for 27.5% of new car registrations. At the same time, its used market data showed a 67% year-on-year increase in used EV transactions in quarter two of 2026.
While the new market share is still below the ZEV Mandate target of 33%, the evidence shows that the market is moving in the right direction and is likely to continue as drivers switch vehicles for the new ‘76’ registrations from September 1.
The poll found that concerns around the public charging network – which now has 123,677 chargepoints across nearly 49,000 locations – remained a barrier for some buyers. It also found that lower purchase prices, longer ranges and more confidence in EVs’ residual values would help sway even more buyers to electric.
The UKCOTY survey also found that new brands from China enjoyed a high level of public awareness among respondents, reflecting the fact that more than 27% of all EV sales in the UK in 2025 were built in China, with 13% being from Chinese brands.
BYD ranked the highest, with it entering the overall top 10 car list of new cars. MG also ranked highly as it achieved a top 10 ranking by market share.
Recent years have seen a huge influx of Chinese car brands, with 15 currently operating in the UK and several more set to arrive in late 2026/2027.
