Accelerating progress towards EVs
How can we speed up EV adoption?
The rEV Index assesses 40 UK regions and nations on their readiness for EVs, and compares the UK's scores with those leading EV markets—including China and European countries. The findings show the progress that has been made, and highlight the key priorities to accelerate the next stages of the EV transition.
How does the UK compare with other leading EV markets in its transition to EVs? Find out more about progress to date and opportunities to accelerate.
Explore the rEV indexWill we be ready for the EV transition?
The UK is preparing for the ban of new sales of petrol and diesel vehicles in 2030. But will we be ready for this switch?
The rEV Index explores where we stand today and how we can best prepare ourselves for the transition tomorrow.
Key findings from the rEV Index
Improving consumer sentiment
The UK has set ambitious targets for EV adoption, with a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030. However, compared to consumers in the biggest global EV markets, a smaller share of consumers in the UK see themselves shifting to EVs—only 24% of consumers in the UK intend to buy an EV in the next five years, compared to 56% in Norway.
Making the EV switch affordable
The short-term cost of switching to EVs for consumers is higher in the UK, and a recent survey by Ofgem reveals that 59% of British consumers see price as a barrier to uptake. The rEV Index estimates that running an EV in the UK for three years is 1.3 times more expensive than running an equivalent petrol or diesel vehicle.
Building the right charging infrastructure
The UK is expanding its charging infrastructure and has a relatively high density of charging points compared to other countries. However, the total speed of charging available does not fully meet consumer needs. The rEV Index shows that while 15% of drivers in the UK prefer to charge on highways and at service stations, only 3% of charge points are ultra-fast which would make quick charging at these locations feasible.
Preparing energy systems
As consumer concerns are addressed and EV uptake accelerates, energy-system upgrades will be important to maximise the environmental benefits and to remain resilient as electricity demand grows in parallel. Currently, only 42% of electricity in the UK is generated from renewable sources. Furthermore, the rEV Index estimates available grid capacity in the UK of 30%, compared to more than 80% in both Germany and Sweden.
Closing the national EV gap
The index reveals wide disparity across the UK in terms of policies and uptake. Moving forward, a coordinated approach will ensure that the UK as a whole is ready for EVs. Working alongside national-level measures, authorities can learn from best practices, striving to remove local bottlenecks in EV uptake.
The Big Questions: Expert views
Roland Ferwerda
Director, Qurato; and National Knowledge Platform for Charging Infrastructure, NetherlandsWhat role can governments play in managing an EV transition?
Mike Hawes
Chief Executive, Society of Motor Manufacturers and TradersHow do we incentivise consumers to make the electric shift?
Melanie Shufflebotham
Co-Founder & COO, Zap-MapWhere do we go next in developing EV charging infrastructure?