Everything the Government is Offering to Boost EV Ownership
Electric vehicles (EVs) have long been seen as the future of transport, but in the UK, uptake has been slower than expected.
Whilst EV sales are rising many drivers are holding back, citing range anxiety, the cost of new electric cars, and lack of convenient charging infrastructure as key barriers to making the switch.
But as of today, this could change fast. The UK government has announced a series of bold new initiatives designed to supercharge EV adoption and help phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.
Here’s everything the government is offering to boost EV ownership right now:
1. Electric Car Grant: Up to £3,750 Off New EVs
The biggest headline is the launch of the £650 million Electric Car Grant (ECG), which will slash the upfront cost of new electric cars. Drivers will start to benefit from discounts as soon as manufacturers successfully apply for their zero tailpipe emission cars to be part of the grant scheme from 16 July 2025, with funding available until the 2028 to 2029 financial year.
Drivers who buy EVs priced at £37,000 or less will receive either £3,750 or up to £1,500 off at the point of sale. Cars fall into one of two bands depending on the emissions they produce during the manufacturing process. Those in ‘band one’ will receive the full £3,750 discount, whilst those in ‘band two’ will receive up to £1,500 off. Specific figures relating to these bands have not yet been released.
What’s in it for buyers?
- Immediate savings on a wide range of affordable EVs
- A more level playing field with petrol and diesel cars
- Lower long-term running costs
2. £63 Million Charging Package for Households, the NHS, and Businesses
The government is also delivering a £63 million support package focused on expanding access to EV charging for households without driveways and modernising public fleets.
What it includes:
- A scheme for local authorities that will fund cross-pavement charging technology, enabling households without driveways to safely run cables beneath pavements and access cheaper domestic electricity rates.
- The electrification of NHS vehicle fleets, and funding to install electric charging stations at 200 NHS sites across 62 Trusts in England.
- Rollout of thousands of charge stations at business depots
How it helps:
This scheme addresses a major hurdle for urban residents and renters - home charging access - whilst accelerating the EV uptake of public services and workplace fleets.
It also helps remove excuses around charging infrastructure and boosts confidence in EV reliability for daily use.
3. Support for Pavement Gully Charging
Recognising that millions of UK drivers park on the street, the government has backed pavement gully charging solutions, bringing power to curbside parking spots.
What it means:
- Local authorities and developers can install unobstructive charging stations embedded in pavements
- Residents without driveways can charge at home just like those with off-street parking
- A significant step toward charging equity in cities and towns
- This is a crucial step towards democratising EV ownership, making them practical for everyone, not just homeowners with private parking.
4. Massive Expansion of Public Charging Infrastructure
EV infrastructure has also received a major boost, with over 82,000 public charge stations now available nationwide - and a new one being installed every 29 minutes.
New improvements include:
- Continued rollout of high-speed and destination chargers
- Better road signage to help drivers find charging locations easily
- £6 billion industry investment in EV charging through to 2030
Why it matters:
Improved visibility, reliability, and access to public chargers directly addresses range anxiety - giving drivers confidence to travel further, plan longer journeys, and charge conveniently whether they’re at work, shopping, or on holiday.
So, Will it Work?
There’s no doubt that these announcements mark a huge turning point in the UK’s journey toward widespread EV adoption. With financial incentives, charging access, and infrastructure growth all tackled in today’s announcement, the most common objections drivers have when considering an EV have been tackled head on.
If you’ve been thinking about making the switch, there’s never been a better time to buy electric. At Vertu, we’ve been selling and servicing EVs for years and are ready to help guide you through the process - from your first test drive to your recurring services.