19 December 2025
Growing political and policy uncertainty is putting the brakes on drivers’ willingness to switch to electric vehicles, according to the latest AA UK EV Readiness Index.
The European Commission’s plans to water down their 2035 zero-emissions target and recent calls from politicians to scrap the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, have created a climate of confusion and hesitation among consumers and manufacturers alike.
“If the UK is serious about accelerating EV adoption, 2026 must bring stronger, clearer guidance and meaningful incentives.”
This uncertainty is compounded by concerns over the proposed e-VED scheme, which would see electric car owners paying a new tax based on annual mileage from April 2028. While the intention to ensure EVs contribute to road maintenance is understandable, the timing and lack of clarity risk deterring some of those who were considering making the switch.
Despite a modest rise in the overall readiness score to 48.8 (up from 47.3 last quarter), the foundations of drivers’ readiness to adopt an EV remain fragile. The AA’s data shows that while EV insurance prices have fallen - offering some encouragement - used EVs have become more expensive relative to petrol and diesel cars, and a small uptick in ‘out of charge’ breakdowns due to colder weather has added to consumer nervousness.
Edmund King, AA president said: “Drivers are being buffeted by mixed messages and policy reversals. Talk of the ZEV mandate being scrapped or delayed, and the introduction of new taxes on EVs, risks undermining years of progress. Those already on the fence may now be stepping back to the familiar territory of petrol or diesel, rather than embracing the switch to electric.
“Whilst the Index shows some progress, the conditions that support drivers’ shift to EVs remain challenging for many.
“The drop in EV insurance pricing at a slightly faster rate than for ICE insurance is great news for consumers, but there are wider concerns about used car pricing, where most private sales occur.
“If the UK is serious about accelerating EV adoption, 2026 must bring stronger, clearer guidance and meaningful incentives. Only then will we see real momentum and confidence among drivers to make the change.”
First EV Readiness Index AA UK EV Readiness Index | AA
Comprehensive AA member and driver insights on EVs can be found here: https://www.theaa.com/about-us/newsroom/aa-ev-viewpoint
The AA’s EV Readiness Index offers a comprehensive snapshot of how practical and appealing EV ownership is for UK drivers today. Drawing on proprietary AA data and expert sources, the Index tracks eight critical factors:
- Cost of new EV
- Cost of used EV
- Cost of EV insurance
- Cost of home charging & home charger
- Cost of public charging
- Access to charging
- EVs running out of charge
- Roadside EV repair rates