NEW data from Nationwide Vehicle contracts indicates that new EV demand is on track to rise by almost 54% in 2026, up from the 35% growth recorded in 2025.
Nationwide was awarded Best Used Broker at the 2026 Broker News Awards.
As other analysis has found, much of this shift is driven by the ongoing unpredictability of fuel prices across the UK.
Access to EVs has grown over the last five years due to the arrival of new EVs costing under £30,000, over 150 new electric models on the UK market, and the average mileage range increasing to around 300 miles.
The most popular EVs by year highlight how the market is broadening:
- 2024: MG4 EV
- 2025: Renault Scenic E‑Tech
- 2026: Vauxhall Frontera Electric
While the MG4 EV remains the company’s most popular electric vehicle across the last three years combined, continued demand for models such as the Volkswagen ID.4, Cupra Born, Renault Scenic E‑Tech, and Peugeot e‑5008 signals growing confidence in EVs as practical options for families.
“2026 is shaping up to be a tipping point for EV demand. Affordability and running costs are now outweighing many of the traditional barriers, particularly as more budget friendly models enter the market.”
“For leasing customers, competitive EV deals and flexible contract options are helping support the transition, while fleets and private drivers alike are increasingly viewing electric as the most financially predictable choice for the future.”
The figures used are projections based on internal sales data from Nationwide Vehicle Contracts. The figure for 2026 is based on its EV sales data for the first four months of the year and then multiplied by three.
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