AA index finds UK drivers unprepared for mass switch to electric vehicles

The AA’s first quarterly "UK EV Readiness Index" found British motorists are largely unprepared for a mass transition to electric vehicles, giving the country an initial readiness rating of 47.5 out of 100.

The index, compiled from proprietary AA data and expert sources, tracked eight factors affecting the practicality and appeal of EV ownership: the cost of a new EV, the cost of a used EV, EV insurance costs, the cost of home charging and a home charger, the cost of public charging, access to charging, the risk of running out of charge, and roadside repair rates for EVs. The motoring group also polled 14,915 drivers on responses to the Electric Car Grant introduced in July, which reduces the upfront cost of eligible new EVs by between £1,500 and £3,750.

The AA reported that 38 percent of those surveyed said new EVs remain too expensive even with the grant. One quarter said they will never buy an EV, and 20 percent said they would only consider a second-hand EV, a group for whom the new-vehicle grant has limited relevance. Only 5 percent said the grant increased the likelihood they would switch to an EV, and 1 percent—47 respondents—said they were already in the process of buying a new EV specifically to use the grant. A further 6 percent said they were considering using the Electric Car Grant.

In a separate exercise, 8,654 respondents were presented with hypothetical alternative incentives and policy changes. The options that received the most support included grants for used EVs, removal of value-added tax on electric vehicle purchases, and interest-free loans for second-hand EV purchases. Respondents also backed improved public charging infrastructure, free or heavily subsidised home charger installations, removal of VAT on charging costs, and revisions to vehicle taxation, including scrapping what some respondents described as a "luxury car tax." Guaranteeing battery life and range at 10 years of age was cited as another measure that would increase buyer confidence.

Edmund King OBE, president of the AA, described the index as "an independent barometer of the issues that are either holding drivers back or propelling drivers to go electric. It is neither pro nor anti EV." He said motorists are enthusiastic about electric technologies but remain "confused and cautious," with upfront costs and charging access continuing to be major barriers. King said concerns over battery health and resale values were also prominent among the findings.

The AA noted demographic differences in responses: younger drivers showed greater interest in using the grant, with 12 percent of 18-to-24-year-olds and 10 percent of 35-to-44-year-olds saying they would use it. The group highlighted a structural challenge for new-car incentives, pointing out that private buyers accounted for roughly 10 percent of new-car sales in 2024 while the remaining 90 percent of private purchases came from the used-car market, where a new-vehicle grant has limited reach.

The index’s composite score and the polling results underscore persistent barriers to rapid EV adoption identified by industry and consumer groups: purchase price, the economics of used EVs, insurance costs, the practicalities and expense of charging at home and in public, and concerns about range and battery longevity. The AA said it expects the readiness rating to improve if policy measures and market developments address those constraints and if clearer information becomes available to consumers.

The release of the index comes as the UK government and industry discuss a range of incentives and infrastructure investments aimed at accelerating EV uptake while attempting to ensure affordability and reliability for mainstream motorists. The AA has said it will publish the index quarterly to track changes over time and to highlight areas where policy and industry action could increase motorists’ willingness to switch to electric vehicles.