The National Franchised Dealer Association (NFDA) has called for affordability, charging and consumer confidence to remain central to UK electric vehicle policy as registrations rise.
Marking World EV Day on September 9, the dealer association said growth across the new and used battery electric vehicle (BEV) markets showed that EVs were becoming an increasingly important part of the UK car parc.
New BEV registrations increased by 28.6% year on year to 355,746 between January and August 2026, accounting for 25.6% of the new car market.
Growth in the used market was stronger, with 110,761 used BEVs changing hands during the second quarter. That represented a 67% increase on the same period last year and gave electric cars a record 5.5% share of used transactions.
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The public charging network had reached 121,171 devices by July 1, including 28,887 rapid or ultra-rapid chargers.
Symon Cook, from the NFDA’s Electric Vehicle Approved scheme, said: “The numbers show that electric vehicles are becoming an increasingly important part of the UK car market. World EV Day is a chance to recognise that progress and the increased consumer choice that is available.”
The association said continued progress would depend on addressing the practical concerns affecting consumer demand, including vehicle affordability, charging availability and confidence in buying new and used EVs.
Its intervention comes as the Government reviews the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate. Dealers have also called for a scrappage scheme to help boost EV car sales.
The consultation, which closes on October 23, is examining annual sales targets, the flexibilities available to vehicle manufacturers and the route towards 2030 and 2035.
Targets alone will not deliver a successful transition
The NFDA said the review should ensure that regulation supports the transition without pushing the market too far ahead of consumer demand.
Cook added: “The ZEV Mandate has an important role to play, but targets alone will not deliver a successful transition. Consumer demand has to keep pace and that means tackling the issues drivers actually care about – affordability, charging, choice and confidence.
“On World EV Day, the message from the NFDA EVApproved scheme is clear: the UK has made real progress, but maintaining it will require Government, industry and retailers to keep the consumer at the centre of the transition.”
The Electric Vehicle Approved scheme was developed by the NFDA and is endorsed by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles and the Energy Saving Trust.
It assesses dealerships against standards covering the EV customer journey, including vehicle selection, charging and aftersales support. Arnold Clark Automobiles and Bells Motor Group are among the latest dealer groups to gain certification.
The scheme has also supported work to improve the availability and transparency of battery state-of-health information in the used EV market.