Why the UK Is Struggling to Embrace EVs—And What That Says About the Global Market

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In a world hurtling toward electrification, the UK is finding itself stuck in neutral.

Despite aggressive climate goals and growing electric vehicle (EV) model lineups, British drivers remain hesitant to plug in. And the reason isn’t infrastructure, range, or price alone—it’s knowledge. Or rather, the lack of it.

New research from UK vehicle retailer Motorpoint reveals that misconceptions, outdated assumptions, and limited real-world experience are hindering EV adoption across the country. In a survey of 2,000 car owners, petrol and diesel drivers were nearly three times more likely than EV owners to say they didn’t know enough about electric cars.

For automakers, policymakers, and industry watchers worldwide, including those in the U.S., this should sound familiar. And concerning.

“It’s clear that EV education in the UK needs improving,” said Mike Vousden, an EV expert at Motorpoint. “For drivers to embrace EV ownership, the government and industry bodies need to help the public understand what it’s actually like to move away from traditional combustion engines.”

Motorpoint’s survey identifies three major myths that continue to skew public perception of electric vehicles in the UK. Though based on UK data, these concerns mirror common sentiments among hesitant drivers in the U.S. and elsewhere.

This concern topped the list, with 71% of internal combustion engine (ICE) drivers saying an EV wouldn’t suit their daily needs. But data tells a different story. Most UK drivers average just 150 miles per week, easily within the range of today’s EVs. Many new electric models now offer over 300–400 miles per charge, which is double or more the range of earlier models.

“Range anxiety is largely a fear of the unknown,” Vousden noted. “Once drivers get behind the wheel of an EV and realize how infrequently they need to charge, those fears tend to fade.”

Moreover, the growth of rapid public charging infrastructure in both the UK and the U.S. means that even long trips can often be completed with only modest adjustments in planning.

Upfront costs remain a barrier, but often because drivers don’t realize how much prices have changed. While new EVs are still sometimes priced higher than their ICE counterparts, used EVs in the UK are now regularly cheaper than similar gas-powered models.

According to Motorpoint, some nearly-new EVs are selling for up to 50% less than their original price, offering significant savings for budget-conscious buyers.

Vousden pointed to data from AutoTrader UK, which shows that while EVs do experience steep depreciation early on, that curve soon flattens, mirroring the depreciation rate of traditional cars.

That’s something many American used-car buyers may want to watch as depreciation trends in the U.S. continue to evolve with the maturing EV market.

Battery longevity is a persistent concern. In the UK, petrol and diesel owners were four times more likely to doubt the durability of electric vehicles (EVs) compared to current EV drivers.

Yet long-term data paints a different picture. Industry research and EV owner groups suggest that most battery packs are expected to last the life of the car. That’s in part thanks to advanced thermal and charging management systems, tech that goes far beyond what you’ll find in your smartphone or laptop.

“Most EVs today come with 8- to 10-year battery warranties,” said Vousden. “For the majority of owners, the battery will never need replacing.”

While this survey focuses on the UK, its lessons are global.

Even in countries with rising electric vehicle (EV) sales, the same barriers—range anxiety, cost confusion, and battery skepticism—persist. And more importantly, they’re often worse among people who’ve never actually driven an EV.

That gap between perception and reality is something both the UK and U.S. auto industries will need to address head-on, not just with more chargers and incentives, but with better communication.

In the U.S., EV education efforts often fall to automakers and media. However, in the UK, Vousden suggests that government and independent organizations have a stronger role to play in debunking myths and providing drivers with real-world context.

The stakes are high on both sides of the Atlantic. Without tackling misinformation and experience gaps, adoption could stall, even in markets ready for the transition.