The AA’s latest EV Readiness Index shows improving conditions for electric vehicle (EV) adoption, but warns the transition remains “fragile”.
The Index rose to 53.8 in Q1 2026, up from 48.8 in Q4 2025 and 47.5 in Q3, reflecting gains in affordability and gradual progress on key barriers to adoption.
The Index tracks eight indicators influencing EV adoption and combines them into a single readiness score, measuring how practical and attractive EV ownership is for UK motorists.
Much of the improvement was driven by falling used EV prices, which dropped below equivalent petrol models for the first time since the Index launched.
Used EVs were around 10% cheaper than comparable internal combustion engine vehicles during the quarter.
The AA said increased supply, particularly from ex-fleet vehicles entering the used market, is helping open up EV ownership to more drivers.
However, it warned that declining residual values (RV) present a challenge for fleets and manufacturers, which underpin new EV registrations and leasing models.
Charging infrastructure and reliability also showed incremental progress.
The charging score increased to 43, with 118,321 public chargers now installed, equivalent to around 39.4% of the Government’s 2030 target.
Upkeep performance remained stable, with 88.7% of EV breakdowns resolved at the roadside and just 1.5% of incidents linked to vehicles running out of charge.
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Consumer confidence in used EVs still a challenge
Despite these improvements, the Index highlights a continued lack of consumer confidence in the used EV market.
Polling of more than 12,000 drivers found only 3% are confident about buying a used EV, while 22% feel confident about charging one and 30% feel less confident driving an EV compared with petrol or diesel models.
More than half of respondents said the prospect of a future mileage-based eVED tax could deter them from buying an EV.
Consumer understanding of running costs also remains limited, with just 14% believing EVs are cheaper to run than petrol or diesel alternatives.
The AA said clearer information on battery health and ownership costs will be key to unlocking further demand.
Edmund King OBE, AA president, said: “Our AA UK EV Readiness Index shows that conditions for switching to electric cars are improving, with cheaper used EVs opening the door for more drivers. But the reality is that the transition remains fragile.
“Lower prices may be good news for motorists looking for a bargain, but if values fall too quickly it becomes unsustainable for fleets and manufacturers who buy most new electric cars in the first place.
“At the same time, mixed messages from Government – including uncertainty around future taxes such as eVED – risk denting confidence just as the market is beginning to mature from the early adopters.
“To keep momentum going we need clearer long-term policy signals and better information for drivers so they can make an informed choice when or whether to switch.”He added that rising petrol and diesel prices linked to the situation in Iran were not reflected in the Q1 Index, but could act as a further incentive for drivers to switch to electric in future.