EV adoption growth moves beyond affluent early adopters

EV adoption across England is growing beyond the wealthiest areas which were first to become owners, says public charging provider Char.gy.

New research of adoption across England shows that while EV ownership remains higher in less deprived areas, recent growth has become significantly more broad-based, signalling that the transition to electric is moving beyond affluent early adopters.

The research compares the percentage of cars on the road that are electric with levels of deprivation, measured using the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD). Historically, the least deprived areas have had the highest concentration of EVs, a pattern largely driven by wealthier households being able to adopt the technology earlier.

However, year-on-year growth trends tell a different and more encouraging story.

“EV adoption started in wealthier areas, but what’s encouraging is how that’s changing. While growth in 2021–22 was largely confined to more affluent communities, by 2025 uptake has become much broader.”

John Lewis, CEO, Char.gy Tweet

“That shows the transition is moving beyond early adopters. The focus now must be on ensuring those most disadvantaged communities aren’t left behind by expanding reliable, affordable on-street charging where it’s needed most.”

Char.gy says that it is important to note that the most deprived 10% of areas in England face some of the highest levels of poverty, social challenges and ill health in the country, factors that can compound barriers to EV uptake.

Broader uptake compared to 2021

Between 2021 and 2022, growth in EV adoption was heavily concentrated in the least deprived half of the country. The most deprived communities saw comparatively limited increases in uptake.

By contrast, in 2025 the picture has shifted markedly. Annual growth in EV adoption is now occurring across almost all deprivation deciles, with only the 10% most deprived areas showing notably slower progress.

This represents a significant change in the geography of the UK’s EV transition. While wealthier communities continue to see strong growth, the gap in new adoption rates has narrowed considerably.

The role of on-street charging

Char.gy manages a network of over 4,000 public charge points across the UK and collaborates with local authorities to install charge points along residential streets.

It says that as the market matures, access to public and on-street charging infrastructure is increasingly critical to enabling equitable EV adoption, particularly in lower-income urban areas where households are less likely to have driveways.

Photo by Michael Kahn on Unsplash