Research and analysis

Using mobile phone data when evaluating electric vehicle usage

Analysis establishing the viability of using anonymised and aggregated mobile phone data to support evaluation and future study of electric vehicle usage.

• From: Department for Transport
• Published: 26 February 2026

Documents

Exploration of mobile data for evaluation of electric vehicle usage

PDF, 939 KB, 26 pages

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Details

This analysis looks at whether mobile phone data can be used to evaluate electric vehicle (EV) usage, and sets out considerations for procuring and storing this type of data.

The study:

• compares mobile phone data with existing transport data sources
• identifies which evaluation methods can be supported by mobile phone data
• outlines trends in EV usage and uptake over time
• highlights considerations for future mobile network data procurements

All data was anonymised and aggregated before it was received, in line with data protection legislation.

Published 26 February 2026