EY Mobility Index shows rebound for petrol and diesel as EV demand cools amid pay-per-mile policy chatter
UK drivers shift back toward internal-combustion models even before a proposed pay-per-mile levy for electric vehicles, EY says, as industry weighs policy risks and incentives.
Demand for electric vehicles in the United Kingdom has cooled even as interest in petrol and diesel models rebounds, according to EY’s Mobility Consumer Index. The annual survey of 1,032 UK motorists planning to buy a new car in the next 24 months found that 41% would opt for a traditional internal combustion engine vehicle, up from 36% in 2024, while 19% favored electric vehicles. The poll, conducted between September and October 2025, shows a clear reversal from last year’s lean toward cleaner options.
The findings come as policymakers weigh the impact of a promised pay-per-mile tax on EVs and as industry groups warn that the shifts could undermine government targets for zero-emission vehicle uptake. Expensive upfront costs topped the list of barriers to electrification, with 41% of respondents citing high prices as a deterrent. Limited range (36%) and the prospect of expensive battery replacement (30%) followed, alongside concerns about charging infrastructure: 47% pointed to a lack of charging stations, 45% to long charging times, and 40% to the cost of accessing public networks.
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