New research from The Green Insurer reveals that more than one in four (26%) electric vehicle (EV) owners in the UK now regret their decision to go electric.

Charging headaches and battery anxieties top the list of complaints, underscoring persistent challenges in the country’s transition to zero-emission transport.

However, sales are slowly accelerating as the 2035 deadline for the ban on diesel and petrol vehicle sales approaches.

Drivers Frustrated

Among those with purchase regrets, 64% report anxiety over needing to recharge far too often on longer trips, while 36% say locating convenient public chargers remains a major hurdle.

Nearly 30% admit they worry about the safety and reliability of overnight charging locations away from home, and 43% fear the high cost of battery replacement if capacity diminishes or a fault arises.

Despite recent infrastructure growth—with 5,955 new public charge points added in the UK so far in 2025, following 19,834 in 2024—the pace of expansion is still lagging behind driver needs, especially outside urban areas.

Market momentum


Nevertheless, the UK EV market continues to grow.

Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows that, in the first quarter of 2025, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 120,191 registrations—a 42.6% year‑on‑year increase—representing a 20.7% share of new car sales.

Plug‑in hybrids added another 53,686 registrations, bringing total electrified vehicle sales to over 580,500 for the year to date, up 6.4% on 2024.

In February, one in four new cars registered was an EV, and March saw a record month with over 68,000 fully electric cars sold—the best-ever monthly haul for the UK market.

 Still Largely Satisfied

Despite frustrations, the majority of EV drivers remain satisfied: 59% praise the smoother driving experience and lower “fuel” costs, while 56% with home charging setups report easy overnight top‑ups.

More than half (51%) say the reduced carbon footprint justifies any inconvenience, and 33% were motivated by the government’s looming 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel car sales.

Industry and Infrastructure

The UK government has committed to strengthening the charging network, with targets to reach 300,000 public charge points by 2030.

Recent analysis warns that easing zero-emission vehicle sales mandates risks slowing full‑electric uptake as plug‑in hybrids fill dealers’ quotas.

The Zap‑Map network remains the largest public dataset, with Shell Recharge Ubitricity and Connected Kerb leading in lamppost and on‑street chargers, respectively.

Call to Action


Paul Baxter, CEO of The Green Insurer, commented: “Switching to electric is a cornerstone of the UK’s net‑zero ambitions, yet our research shows many drivers encounter unexpected hurdles. Addressing charging convenience, battery costs, and insurance affordability is essential to boost confidence and accelerate adoption. We urge policymakers to remove the 12% Insurance Premium Tax on EV cover, and to invest further in a robust national network so that charging concerns no longer deter potential buyers.”

As the UK pushes towards its 2030 targets, balancing infrastructure rollout with consumer support will be critical to ensuring that the electric dream doesn’t turn into a nightmare for the next wave of EV drivers.