Disabled UK Drivers, US Consumers Slow Electric Vehicle Adoption Amid Charging Access Challenges

Electric vehicle (EV) adoption is facing significant challenges both in the UK and the US despite generally positive public perceptions. In the UK, 65% of disabled drivers and nearly half of the general public express reluctance to switch to EVs until they have no alternative, primarily due to concerns over public charging infrastructure, including availability, accessibility, and practicality for disabled users. Similarly, in the US, consumer interest in EVs is declining, with only 16-18% of adults likely to purchase an EV next, the lowest since 2019, driven by worries about charging availability, range anxiety, and vehicle performance in extreme weather. Policy shifts in the US, such as the rollback of fuel-economy targets and threats to supportive measures in the Inflation Reduction Act, are further slowing EV adoption and reducing projected sales and battery demand. These factors combined indicate that while EV sales continue to grow globally, the pace of adoption is slowing due to infrastructure challenges, consumer hesitancy, and regulatory changes, particularly impacting disabled drivers and US markets.