The next phase of electric vehicle adoption may hinge less on new car incentives and more on unlocking the used market. That is the conclusion of a survey of nearly 12,000 UK drivers conducted by the AA and Electrifying.com in December 2025, which reveals a striking gap between EV battery reality and public perception.
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Just 2% of respondents believe an EV battery typically outlasts a petrol or diesel engine, despite growing evidence that modern batteries routinely exceed the lifespan of combustion drivetrains. The result: only 3% of drivers say they currently feel confident buying a used electric car, down from 8% in previous years.
Battery health certificates could shift the dial
The survey suggests practical measures could make a significant difference. Some 38% of drivers say a standardised battery health certificate would increase their confidence in buying a used EV. Meanwhile, 44% say incentives such as interest-free loans, already available in Scotland, would make them more likely to consider a second-hand electric vehicle.
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Cost perceptions also point to the used market's potential. While 57% of drivers consider new EVs too expensive, only 30% say the same of used models, suggesting affordability is less of a barrier than trust and perceived risk.
Lessons for Germany and beyond
The UK findings resonate with challenges facing Germany's e-mobility transition. There, consumer uncertainty over battery condition remains a persistent concern.
As both countries push to accelerate EV uptake, the research underscores a common blind spot: policy focus remains heavily weighted towards new vehicle sales, while the used market, which accounts for around 75% of annual car sales in the UK, receives comparatively little attention.
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Policy support for used EVs could accelerate uptake
The AA and Electrifying.com are calling for measures including mandatory battery health checks, improved consumer education and access to low-cost finance for used EV buyers. Scotland's interest-free loan scheme, which has provided over £230 million since 2011, offers a model that could be replicated more widely. (TF)
