Greater than 64% of prospective latest automotive buyers are considering an electrical vehicle, suggesting dealerships could face a much faster shift in demand than wider consumer sentiment indicates.
Research from Manchester-based Automotive Insights found EV purchase intent amongst consumers expecting to purchase a brand new automotive increased by almost 18% between the third quarters of 2025 and 2026.
This compares with a rise of around five percentage points across all vehicle buyers, taking overall EV purchase intent to just below 47%.
The difference is very important for dealerships since it shows that interest in electric cars is concentrated amongst consumers closest to entering the brand new automotive market, slightly than being spread evenly across the broader motoring population.
It could influence decisions around demonstrator availability, sales training, model allocation and charging provision, while placing greater importance on dealerships having the ability to explain whole-life running costs and charging options.
Committed EV demand strengthens
Automotive Insights also examined the strength of consumers’ intentions. Around 14% of all buyers said they were “very likely” to buy an EV, rising to just below 25% amongst prospective latest automotive customers.
The corporate said the latter figure broadly reflects the present share of new-car registrations accounted for by battery electric vehicles.
Purchase intention doesn’t necessarily translate directly right into a accomplished sale, particularly where affordability, charging access and part-exchange values remain potential barriers.
Nonetheless, the gap between general buyers and prospective latest automotive customers gives dealerships a more focused indication of near-term demand.
Automotive Insights, which surveys 1,000 UK motorists every month, expects 2026 to develop into the fourth consecutive 12 months of growth for the brand new automotive market, with electric and hybrid registrations increasing while petrol and diesel volumes decline.
Richard Walker, executive director of research, data and insights at Automotive Insights, said: “The UK new-car market continues to grow in 2026, with strong momentum of adoption of EVs and hybrids. Tesla’s market share is flat to declining as Chinese and other latest brands rapidly gain ground.
“AIRS research suggests growing consumer intent to purchase EVs and increasing consideration of Chinese brands, particularly amongst prospective latest automotive buyers, pointing to continued transformation of the market after September’s major registration period.”
Chinese brands gain consideration
Amongst all buyers, the proportion saying they were “very likely” to think about a Chinese brand increased from 6% in the primary quarter of 2026 to 7% within the third quarter.
The figure reached 12% amongst prospective new-car buyers. Although still a minority, the result suggests consideration is substantially stronger amongst consumers currently closest to changing their vehicle.
Darren Moon, strategic partnership director at Automotive Insights, said: “Understanding what consumers think, what influences their decisions and the way those behaviours are changing is critical for businesses navigating an increasingly complex automotive landscape. Automotive Insights gives organisations a consistent view of the market, helping them make decisions based on real consumer evidence slightly than assumptions.”
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