So Energy head says UK BEVs hit 23 to 24 percent of 2025 new car sales as public chargers reach 86,000
By Eve
Michelle Little, head of propositions at So Energy, reports that battery electric vehicles captured roughly 23 to 24 percent of new car sales in the UK across 2025, with over 2.8 million plug in vehicles now registered, including more than 1.83 million pure BEVs and about 982,000 plug in hybrids. The public charging network expanded to more than 86,000 devices by October 2025, a year on year increase of around 23 percent. Writing for an industry publication, Little argues the mobility and energy sectors must converge into a digital, data driven landscape to make EV charging easier and more accessible in 2026.
Why it matters
The 23 percent annual growth in public charging infrastructure and near one in four BEV market share signal sustained demand for charge point deployment and grid integration services. Procurement teams can benchmark network expansion rates and fleet electrification timelines against these national figures when planning 2026 tenders.
Source
- Original title
- “Bolstering the UK’s EV transition in 2026”
- Published
- 10 February 2026
- Updated
- 18 July 2026
In this story
- Topic
- Policy & Market
- Place
- United Kingdom
Related news
UK Government weighs tariffs on Chinese EVs as Burnham prepares EU talks on Made in Europe rules
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has asked officials to examine potential tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle imports, according to reports in the Daily Telegraph, The Times and Financial Times. Prime Minister Andy Burnham is considering the move ahead of meetings with EU leaders, as the UK seeks inclusion in the EU's Made in Europe programme to avoid trade barriers when the rules are debated at year end. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has warned that exclusion from Made in Europe provisions would deny UK built vehicles access to EU incentives and member state procurement, putting domestic production at a competitive disadvantage in its largest market.
Why it matters
Any tariff regime or exclusion from EU procurement frameworks could reshape the competitive landscape for charge point operators serving fleets, as Chinese EV brands now rank among the UK's most popular purchases. UK manufacturers fear reciprocal Chinese tariffs would reduce domestic vehicle demand and sourcing of EU components, potentially affecting the scale and location of fleet electrification projects.
Conservation areas excluded from new EV pavement charging rules in England
Electric vehicle owners in England's approximately 10,000 conservation areas will not benefit from new permitted development rights allowing charging cables to cross pavements without planning permission, following a late change to legislation coming into force on 21 October. The Times reports these areas are home to around 6.8 million people, with an estimated 3.4 million without driveways. Cross pavement charging solutions in conservation areas will still require planning permission, while residents elsewhere in England can install domestic EV chargepoints and use pavement embedded cable channels without prior approval.
Why it matters
The exclusion creates a two tier regulatory landscape for residential charging deployment, potentially slowing infrastructure rollout in historic urban centres where off street parking is often scarce. Charge point operators and local authorities will need to navigate separate planning processes for conservation area installations, adding cost and complexity to projects targeting on street charging demand.
India joins US-led 14-economy bloc to tackle excess capacity in EVs and batteries
India has signed a joint ministerial statement with the US and 13 other economies to address structural excess capacity in five manufacturing sectors, including electric vehicles and batteries, alongside chemicals, foundational semiconductors and solar panels. The initiative, formalised on Wednesday in Washington during an OECD Trade Committee meeting, commits signatories to establish dedicated sectoral platforms and meet at technical level before December 2026 to draft terms of reference and exchange non-confidential data on production imbalances. Other signatories include Argentina, Australia, Canada, the EU, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Poland, Türkiye and the UK.
Why it matters
The bloc's focus on EV and battery overcapacity signals potential trade measures or policy shifts that could reshape global supply chains, affecting procurement costs and vendor availability for charging infrastructure operators. India's participation may influence domestic manufacturing incentives and import dynamics for EV charging equipment and battery storage systems.