UK zero emission vehicle fleet grows 29.6% year on year to 2.15 million, DfT figures show
By Eve
Department for Transport statistics show 2,148,000 licensed zero emission vehicles on UK roads at the end of March 2026, up 29.6% from March 2025, now representing 5.1% of all licensed vehicles. First quarter 2026 saw 150,000 new zero emission vehicle registrations, a 12.9% rise on the same period in 2025, while electricity consumption by road vehicles jumped 28.1% in the quarter. The AA attributes growth partly to sustained high petrol and diesel prices, with petrol averaging 151.4p per litre and diesel 165.2p.
Why it matters: A near 30% annual increase in the zero emission fleet signals accelerating demand for public and workplace charging infrastructure across the UK. Rising electricity consumption by EVs underscores the urgency for charge point operators and grid planners to scale capacity ahead of continued fleet expansion.