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UK Heat Pump Installations Rose 7 Percent in 2025 Despite Grant Cut
The UK's independent climate advisors reported a sharp slowdown in heat pump uptake last year. Growth fell to 7 percent from 56 percent in 2024 after the government ended a scheme that funded installations for lower-income homes. Electric vehicle sales continued to climb despite industry warnings over discounts.
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The UK's independent climate advisors reported on Wednesday that heat pump installations grew 7 percent in 2025, down from 56 percent the previous year. The slowdown followed the government's withdrawal of the ECO scheme, which had provided fully funded heat pumps to lower-income households.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme still offers a £7,500 grant, yet households can face more than £2,500 in additional costs.
Almost a fifth of the country's emissions come from home heating, and the advisors warned that slow progress in this sector risks missing future targets. Electric vehicle sales showed stronger momentum. One in four cars bought in the UK today is an EV, a trend accelerated by higher petrol and diesel prices after the Iran fuel crisis.
Car manufacturers have spent more than £10 billion on discounts since 2024 to sustain demand, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Nicholas Theobald, who bought a second-hand EV in early 2026, said he had used the vehicle for five months without major issues.
He noted, however, that public charging can cost up to ten times more than home charging when no private charger is available.
Parts of the UK are under a red alert for extreme heat this week, with temperatures forecast to approach 40°C. The Met Office stated that such extremes are made more likely and more frequent by climate change.
