Electric vehicles (EVs) are set to overtake petrol and diesel cars on UK roads by 2034, according to new projections from Quotezone.co.uk. The analysis suggests that within a decade, EVs will make up 50.5 per cent of all vehicles on UK roads.
Current DVLA data reveals that petrol remains the most common fuel type, accounting for 55 per cent of all cars, followed by diesel at 29.8 per cent. Fully electric vehicles currently account for only 4.8 per cent. However, the balance is shifting, with electrified vehicles growing from less than one per cent in 2015 to 12.9 per cent in 2025.
Projections indicate this trend will accelerate, with electrified vehicles expected to rise to 37 per cent in 2031, surpassing petrol (36.9 per cent) and diesel (26.2 per cent), both of which are expected to decline. By 2034, electric vehicles are projected to make up 50.5 per cent of all vehicles on UK roads, compared to 49.5 per cent for petrol and diesel combined, marking the first time they become the majority.
New government regulations are being launched to support EV adoption and ensure the UK meets its target for new electric car sales by the 2035 deadline. This includes £2 billion invested to expand charging infrastructure and incentivise zero-emission vehicles. The Labour Party Government has proposed changing pavement regulations to make home charging easier for EV drivers without driveways. Under the proposed rules, installing pavement-integrated charging solutions will no longer require planning permission, and the grant for home installation will increase to £500 for flat owners, renters, and landlords.
The UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate sets increasingly ambitious targets for zero-emission new car sales, rising from 22 per cent in 2024 to 80 per cent by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2035. New sales of all EVs overtook petrol for the first time in 2025, at 48.4 per cent (978,676 registrations), but there is still a long way to go to reach 100 per cent within ten years.
Greg Wilson, car insurance expert and CEO at Quotezone.co.uk, said: "It’s positive to see the shift towards EV ownership, with figures showing clear adoption from UK drivers as electric car sales start to take the lead. Many drivers had been concerned that an electric vehicle would not be a straightforward option for them – with a Quotezone survey showing 82 per cent of drivers thought the availability of charging points would restrict their lifestyle and make it less likely for them to switch to EVs. However, the Government’s proposed changes and financial support are making electric choices a much more realistic option for millions of drivers. Allowing pavement charging could be a gamechanger for millions of drivers without driveways, and a positive step towards a zero-emission fleet. But it’s the first of many concerns drivers have about the EV journey, with more progress needed across vehicle and energy costs, charging capacity, and mileage limitations."
