Net Zero News: 30% Say EV Drivers Should Fund Car-Share Energy

Welcome to Net Zero News, where we bring you the latest developments driving the UK’s transition to a net-zero future. Net Zero News can reveal that almost one in three people in the UK believe the driver should pick up the bill for energy used when sharing an electric vehicle during Christmas journeys, according to research by vehicle manufacturer BYD.

The research, conducted by BYD in late November 2025, surveyed 1,000 UK drivers and passengers on their attitudes to costs when car sharing around the festive period. The study found that 30% of respondents feel the person behind the wheel ought to pay for the electricity used to charge the vehicle, while the remainder are split between sharing the cost equally or having passengers contribute.

Electric vehicle adoption in the UK has accelerated in recent years as part of national efforts to reduce transport emissions. Government figures show that EV registrations reached 17% of all new car sales in 2024, up from just 3% in 2020, driven by incentives such as the plug-in car grant and rising fuel costs. BYD’s research highlights a growing social question around how charging costs are divided when multiple people share a zero-emission journey.

Within the wider context of the UK’s net-zero targets, decarbonising road transport is critical. The Government has committed to banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and to achieve net-zero emissions across the economy by 2050. As more households and friends turn to car sharing to reduce individual mileage and costs, clarity on who pays for charging could influence both the uptake of EVs and public perceptions of fairness in low-carbon travel.

In a significant step towards understanding user behaviour, BYD’s survey sheds light on emerging etiquette for electric vehicle travellers during peak demand periods. Net Zero News understands this forms part of BYD’s broader effort to map consumer attitudes as it expands its range of fully electric vehicles in Europe. While much attention has focused on charging infrastructure rollout, behavioural norms around cost sharing remain underexplored.

The findings matter for policymakers and industry stakeholders alike. If drivers are expected to cover charging expenses, this may act as a disincentive to offer lifts, potentially reducing opportunities to lower overall vehicle use. Conversely, clear guidance on cost division could encourage more ride sharing and optimise the utilisation of existing transport capacity, contributing to emission reductions in line with the UK’s Sixth Carbon Budget.

BYD, a global electric vehicle manufacturer, commissioned and funded the research independently. No government or third-party funding was involved, and the results have been published by BYD to inform discussions on the social dimensions of EV uptake.

Net Zero News can reveal that the study coincides with preparations by local authorities to increase charging points ahead of the Christmas period. While the research does not directly involve public bodies, it complements efforts by the Department for Transport to improve public access to rapid and destination chargers across urban and rural areas.

Under the UK’s broader net-zero transport strategy, the Department for Transport is consulting on a ride-sharing action plan that could include guidance on cost-sharing mechanisms for electric journeys. This initiative sits alongside the Transport Decarbonisation Plan and the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy, which aim to support 300,000 public chargepoints nationwide by 2030.

Communities and the transport sector could be affected by emerging expectations about who pays for charging. For drivers, covering all costs may add to the perceived burden of EV ownership despite lower running costs compared with internal combustion vehicles. Meanwhile, passengers’ willingness to contribute could shape future travel behaviours and the viability of informal car-sharing networks that reduce congestion and emissions.

In the months ahead, industry bodies and motoring organisations may issue best-practice guidelines on cost sharing to provide clarity to drivers and passengers. Net Zero News understands that BYD is considering follow-up surveys in early 2026 to track changes in public opinion as UK charging infrastructure continues to expand.

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