More than 64% of prospective new car buyers are considering an electric vehicle, suggesting dealerships could face a much faster shift in demand than wider consumer sentiment indicates.
Research from Manchester-based Automotive Insights found EV purchase intent among consumers expecting to buy a new car increased by almost 18% between the third quarters of 2025 and 2026.
This compares with an increase of around five percentage points across all vehicle buyers, taking overall EV purchase intent to just under 47%.
The difference is important for dealerships because it shows that interest in electric cars is concentrated among consumers closest to entering the new car market, rather than being spread evenly across the wider motoring population.
It could influence decisions around demonstrator availability, sales training, model allocation and charging provision, while placing greater importance on dealerships being able to explain whole-life running costs and charging options.
Committed EV demand strengthens
Automotive Insights also examined the strength of consumers’ intentions. Around 14% of all buyers said they were “very likely” to purchase an EV, rising to just under 25% among prospective new car customers.
The company said the latter figure broadly reflects the current share of new-car registrations accounted for by battery electric vehicles.
Purchase intention does not necessarily translate directly into a completed sale, particularly where affordability, charging access and part-exchange values remain potential barriers.
However, the gap between general buyers and prospective new car customers gives dealerships a more focused indication of near-term demand.
Automotive Insights, which surveys 1,000 UK motorists each month, expects 2026 to become the fourth consecutive year of growth for the new car market, with electric and hybrid registrations increasing while petrol and diesel volumes decline.
Richard Walker, executive director of research, data and insights at Automotive Insights, said: “The UK new-car market continues to grow in 2026, with strong momentum of adoption of EVs and hybrids. Tesla’s market share is flat to declining as Chinese and other new brands rapidly gain ground.
“AIRS research suggests growing consumer intent to buy EVs and increasing consideration of Chinese brands, particularly among prospective new car buyers, pointing to continued transformation of the market after September’s major registration period.”
Chinese brands gain consideration
Among all buyers, the proportion saying they were “very likely” to consider a Chinese brand increased from 6% in the first quarter of 2026 to 7% in the third quarter.
The figure reached 12% among prospective new-car buyers. Although still a minority, the result suggests consideration is substantially stronger among consumers currently closest to changing their vehicle.
Darren Moon, strategic partnership director at Automotive Insights, said: “Understanding what consumers think, what influences their decisions and how those behaviours are changing is critical for businesses navigating an increasingly complex automotive landscape. Automotive Insights gives organisations a consistent view of the market, helping them make decisions based on real consumer evidence rather than assumptions.”
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