UK consumer preferences are shifting back towards petrol and diesel cars, EY report reveals

• 41% of UK respondents intending to purchase a vehicle in the next two years are most likely to buy a petrol or diesel, up from 36% in 2024
• Conversely, only 19% are interested in buying a BEV, down from 23% in 2024
• Upfront purchase costs, limited range and expensive battery replacement are the top three concerns deterring UK consumers from going electric
• 19% of respondents are looking to buy a hybrid next, down from 27% last year
• The EY Mobility Consumer Index surveys approximately 21,000 respondents across 32 of the world’s top auto markets, including more than 1,000 UK respondents

UK consumer sentiment around Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) has seen a fall in momentum, while buying intent for petrol and diesel vehicles has bounced back, according to the latest EY Mobility Consumer Index.

Forty-one per cent (41%) of UK respondents intending to buy a vehicle in the next two years said their preference would be an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE), up from 36% in 2024, and more than double the proportion of respondents intending to buy a BEV (19%).

This contrasts with last year’s Mobility Consumer Index findings, which highlighted a fall in ICE buying intent, with an increasing proportion of UK consumers (59%) looking to cleaner and greener vehicles, which has now eased to 50%.

According to the survey, which was carried out in September and October 2025, expensive upfront purchase costs was the top factor deterring respondents from opting for an electric vehicle (EV), which includes BEVs, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), Hybrids and Extended Range Electric Vehicles (EREVs), with 41% citing this reason. Meanwhile, limited range (36%) and expensive battery replacement (30%) were the next most prominent reasons among respondents for choosing not to go electric with their next vehicle purchase.

Less than one in five (19%) of respondents indicated that their preference would be a hybrid vehicle, down from 27% in 2024. Ten per cent (10%) of respondents indicated their preference for a PHEV, in line with last year’s figure. 

Overall, 49% of UK respondents said they were either extremely likely or somewhat likely to purchase a vehicle in the next two years, down from last year’s figure of 56%, and slightly below the average across the 32 markets surveyed (50%).

Maria Bengtsson, EY UK & Ireland Mobility Leader, said: “UK BEV sales have seen significant growth in recent times, so it is surprising that the latest UK Mobility Consumer Index indicates a shift in preferences back towards petrol and diesel vehicles. 

“Meanwhile, although BEV market share in the UK continues to trail the 28% Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate target, these sentiment figures shouldn’t be a major cause for concern and there are still reasons for optimism. Encouragement can be taken from last month’s Autumn Budget, which was announced after this survey was conducted, with the Chancellor announcing provisions to improve the affordability of BEVs and enhance charging infrastructure, including an additional £1.3bn of funding towards the Electric Car Grant, which should help address some of the top concerns that UK respondents have cited. However, the new mileage-based tax on EVs could prove a barrier to demand, and with uptake still lagging behind legislation targets, more may need to be done to incentivise and accelerate demand for BEVs among consumers.”

Environmental considerations and ICE costs are key drivers of BEV buying intent

Concern about the environment was the top reason compelling respondents to purchase an electric vehicle (EV), with 39% citing this as their motivation for buying one. Rising penalties on ICE vehicles (29%) and high fuel prices (28%) were the other key factors encouraging people to purchase an EV.

Attitudes towards the overall EV experience in the UK appear resilient according to the Index, with a significant proportion (84%) of current EV owners in the market for a vehicle saying they would likely buy another, similar to last year’s figure (88%).

There continue to be challenges regarding EV charging, with the top issues cited by respondents being locating charging stations (47%), long wait times (45%) and expensive costs (40%). 

In relation to the EV home charging experience, the top priorities highlighted by respondents were the ability to monitor and automate charging (55%) and the opportunity to lower electricity bills and earn rewards while the vehicle is charging (49%).

Meanwhile, for public charging, the speed of charging (60%), affordability (43%) and convenient charging locations (37%) were the leading priorities.

Maria Bengtsson, EY UK & Ireland Mobility Leader at EY, said: “Cost savings and convenience are among the top priorities for UK respondents when considering whether to purchase an EV, and what they would want out of an EV charging experience. After the Government’s pledge for further support for charging infrastructure in the Autumn Budget, these insights should give policymakers and charge point operators food for thought when making decisions around charging locations and potential incentives for road users and car buyers.

“The shift in consumer preferences towards ICE vehicles in this year’s index is unlikely to be a sustained trend as we approach the 2030 ban on the sale of new ICE vehicles, but it does mark a step back for consumer sentiment towards EVs in the UK. Prioritising the consumer preferences highlighted in this year’s Mobility Consumer Index will be critical for key players across the EV ecosystem including auto manufacturers, policymakers and charge point operators going forward.” 

Dealerships see decline in popularity but remain key to UK car buying experience

According to the Index, physical dealerships have seen a decline in popularity, but still narrowly remain the top choice for the car buying experience. Thirty-six per cent (36%) of respondents indicated their preference to buy from a physical dealership, down from 53% in 2024. Meanwhile, 35% of UK respondents said their preferred vehicle purchase method was online, up from 33% in 2024, while 29% say they would evaluate all options – more than double last year’s figure (14%), highlighting the ongoing need for both physical and digital retail experiences.

European brands are growing in popularity among UK car buyers, with 88% of respondents indicating that European cars were among their top three preferences, up significantly from 63% in 2024. There was also a modest uptick in preference for Chinese brands, with 7% of respondents including them in their top three, up from 4% in 2024. In contrast, only 46% of respondents said a US brand was among their preferences, down from 59% in 2024.