EV affordability and charging concerns increase, Europcar finds

Consumer concerns about switching to electric vehicles increased during the first quarter of 2026, with affordability and charging infrastructure remaining the biggest barriers to adoption, according to new research from Europcar Mobility Group.

The latest findings from the Europcar EV Barometer show that confidence in electric vehicles remains fragile despite a maturing market, growing model availability and continued growth in EV registrations.

Cost-related concerns, including vehicle purchase prices, maintenance costs and finance options, were cited by 59.9% of consumers as a barrier to switching to an electric vehicle in Q1 2026, up from 53.9% in the previous quarter. Concerns around charging infrastructure also increased, with 42.8% of respondents identifying a lack of charging facilities as a deterrent, compared with 37.1% in Q4 2025.

Vehicle choice remained a less significant barrier, although concerns over model range and availability edged higher to 14.3% from 13.8% in the previous quarter. The research also found a slight increase in the number of consumers citing a lack of EV knowledge as a factor holding them back.

According to Europcar, recent government proposals to introduce a pay-per-mile tax for electric vehicles may be contributing to consumer uncertainty around the future cost of EV ownership. The company also suggested that misconceptions around maintenance costs could be affecting purchasing decisions.

“The latest quarterly results from the Europcar EV Barometer show increases in all barriers for consumers who may consider switching to an electric vehicle,” he said. “Mixed messages from government, including the proposed pay-per-mile tax for EVs, could well be creating confusion.”

Middleditch said costs and infrastructure limitations continued to have the greatest impact on adoption rates, warning that rising concerns were occurring at a time when the UK was moving closer to the planned phase-out of new petrol and diesel vehicle sales and expanding low and zero-emission zones.

He added that greater consumer education, continued investment in charging infrastructure and clearer government policy would be needed to support the transition.

Europcar believes that first-hand experience of driving an electric vehicle can help overcome many of the concerns consumers have about EV ownership. The company said that customers renting electric vehicles often find their initial reservations quickly disappear once they have driven one.

“In our experience, when a customer drives an EV for the first time they find most of their previous concerns are quickly alleviated – most concerns stem from simple lack of first-hand experience,” added Tom Middleditch.

“We believe drivers need more information and real world experience of what it is like to own and drive an electric vehicle, and that is where Europcar is playing a key role – both with accessible vehicle rental and our EV Guide and Knowledge Hub.”