HERE Technologies and SBD Automotive have released the 2025 HERE–SBD EV Index, revealing that while the UK is among the most optimistic markets for electric vehicle (EV) adoption, there is a widening gap between EV adoption and infrastructure deployment.  

EV adoption is very much on the UK Government’s agenda currently as it aims to reduce greenhouse emissions from transportation as part of its Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate. This will see the sale of new petrol and diesel car sales phased out by 2030.  

The Index, now in its third year, ranks 30 European countries and all 50 US states (plus Washington, DC) across four key metrics: charger density, average charger power, EV fleet share, and charger-to-EV ratio. The UK only ranks just 21st of the 30 countries across aforementioned metrics.  This year’s report also includes a consumer survey of more than 2,000 drivers across six countries. 

UK Consumers Show Strong EV Intent, But Infrastructure Must Catch Up 

• 80% of UK drivers surveyed would choose an EV over a petrol/diesel car if cost and specifications were equal—the highest rate in Europe. 
• 56% of UK respondents believe EVs will make up more than half of new car sales by 2030, compared to just 24% in the US, 23% in France and 15% in Italy.  
• UK drivers are also the most patient with charging times, with 62% willing to wait up to 30 minutes for a charge from 10% to 80%, compared to 44% in Germany and just 30% in Italy. 

Despite this enthusiasm, charging infrastructure remains a concern: 

• 35% of UK respondents still cite limited availability of public chargers as a barrier to adoption. 
• The UK ranks well in charger density (9^th) but falls short (26^th) with an average charger power of 36kW, limiting fast-charging capabilities for long-distance travel. Norway has an average charge power of 84kW.  
• Just 3.5% of UK fleet vehicles are electric, compared to 22 4% in Norway who lead Europe in fleet penetration.  

Balance Is Key to Sustainable Growth 

The 2025 Index introduces a new “balance score” to assess how evenly countries perform across all four metrics. While the UK performs well in charger availability and fleet share, its lower average charger power suggests uneven growth. This imbalance could hinder long-term adoption unless addressed through targeted investment.  

By comparison: 

• Austria, France, and Slovenia were identified as Europe’s most balanced markets. 
• The Netherlands, despite ranking 4^th overall, scored second-to-last in average charger power due to early reliance on low-speed AC chargers. 
• Current EV drivers are highly satisfied with only 7% of respondents in Europe, and 5% in the U.S., would not choose electric again. 

UK EV Drivers Are Satisfied, But Dealer Education Is Lacking 

• Among current EV owners in the UK, 85% report satisfaction with public charging reliability, and 90% are satisfied with ease of payment, among the highest in Europe. 
• Less than half (46%) of UK respondents received comprehensive EV education from dealers, highlighting a missed opportunity to support informed decision-making. This mirrors a broader European trend, with 39% of German respondents reporting they’d received no dealer education. 

“The third edition of the EV Index shows how consumer views and policy decisions continue to shape the global EV and infrastructure landscape. Combining fresh survey insights with regional market data reveals both progress and persistent barriers to adoption,” said Robert Fisher, Electrification and Sustainability Principal at SBD Automotive. “The findings also make clear that current efforts are not sufficient to meet most regional electrification ambitions, underscoring the need for stronger policies and more proactive product strategies. By sharing these insights, we aim to equip decision-makers across the ecosystem with the clarity needed to accelerate progress for consumers, industry, and society alike.”  

 “This year’s EV Index highlights where infrastructure is falling short of consumer expectations and where coordinated action is most needed,” said Chris Handley, Vice President of Product Management at HERE Technologies. “We look forward to working with our partners across the automotive industry, charge point operators and technology providers to deliver the data and location intelligence needed to ensure EV drivers can accurately find public charging stations, understand optimal times to charge, and overcome the access barriers identified in our survey.”  
 
The 2025 HERE–SBD EV Index underscores a pivotal moment for public charging infrastructure. The UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate requires accelerating year-on-year EV sales, aiming for a full phase‑out of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030. As part of this, the UK Government launched a new £650 million subsidy scheme in July, offering discounts on select EVs. Given this push though, it’s clear that infrastructure needs to keep pace quicker than it currently is to the deliver the sustainability goals promised by ZEV.  

In Europe, national and EU-level policies continue to support electrification, but regional disparities persist. Countries like Norway and Luxembourg lead in charger density and fleet share, while others face challenges in scaling high-power public charging. The Index’s new balance scores reveal where infrastructure consistency is lacking, offering a data-driven foundation for more targeted investment.  

The full HERE-SBD EV Index 2025 rankings and report, alongside interactive visuals and maps, can be found HERE.

Click HERE to view the European Visualisation Map.

(Pic: Yay Images)