Concerns about the cost of purchase, maintenance and finance options for electric vehicles (EV) rose by more than 4% in the first quarter of 2026, according to the latest barometer by Europcar Mobility Group UK.
The group said that the UK Government’s proposals to introduce a pay-per-mile tax for EVs in the autumn budget could have been a factor “in causing businesses to pause plans for electric vehicle adoption”. A lack of understanding around maintenance costs could also be a factor, it reported.
Key findings included concerns around the cost of purchase, maintenance and finance options rising from 36.7% in Q4 2025 to 41% in Q1 2026. In addition, charging infrastructure concerns held back 29.5% of businesses in early 2026, up from 28.6% at the end of 2025.
In more positive news, businesses were less concerned about the choice and availability of EVs, falling from 15.9% to 13.5%, and resistance from the employer or employee also fell, from 13% to 10.8%.
Charging infrastructure is the other big issue still influencing business adoption of EVs, with a small rise in this area as well.
Tom Middleditch, Head of B2B Marketing and Sustainability spokesperson at Europcar said:
“Our latest data shows that financial considerations and confidence in EV technology continue to shape purchasing decisions and fleet scale-up.
“With mixed messages from government over the last few months regarding taxes on EVs, and the increase in BiK tax from April, it seems that cost is becoming a bigger factor in holding business buyers back. The uncertainty over the detail of a tax on mileage of electric vehicles and no clarity on timing is undoubtedly creating a question in people’s minds. What’s needed right now is a clear direction so that businesses that work on 3-5 year fleet cycles can plan ahead effectively.”
“There is, however, a more positive picture when it comes to knowledge and understanding around owning and driving an EV,” added Tom Middleditch. “In Quarter 1, fewer businesses saw this as a barrier to switching to electric. We believe that the growth we have seen in EV rentals is contributing to this increased confidence with a 139% year-on-year increase in Q1 2026.
“EV rental enables businesses to get an accurate picture of how electric vehicles can fit into their fleet and their operations without having to make any long-term commitments. We are committed to helping drivers and businesses make more informed decisions, based on first-hand experience instead of concerns which stem from lack of real-world experience.
“The growing range of rental options and vehicle choices available from Europcar means we have an EV to suit every journey, and a detailed handover helps drivers take to the road happy and confident.”
Graphic courtesy of Europcar
