Commercial Awareness Compass #51 | From forecourt to socket: how Britain gets EVs on the road

Electric vehicles (EVs) are shifting from curiosity to inevitability. With a planned ban on new petrol and diesel sales from 2030 and hybrids in 2035, consumer appetite is coming to terms with policy. In 2024, the UK was the largest EV market in Europe, and interest is rising as drivers weigh running costs, convenience, and the promise of cleaner travel. Yet access is uneven. Inner city infrastructure allows for the large-scale rollout of chargers and shorter journeys favour EV’s range, while rural areas remain trapped in a chicken and egg situation, with investors waiting for increased adoption of EVs before installing chargers whilst consumers wait for chargers before getting EVs. Manufacturers are racing to pivot, the grid is bracing for new loads, and grants have narrowed just as households face higher energy bills. Questions linger over battery lifespan, repairability, and second-hand value. Will the grid and charging network scale in time? Can incentives coax sceptical buyers? And how should lawyers guide clients through shifting rules, and fast-moving tech?