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EV Interest Overtakes Petrol in UK as Costs Tilt Toward Electric

Higher petrol costs tied to the Iran conflict are pushing UK car buyers toward EVs on price.

Overview

  • Electric cars accounted for 29% of new‑car enquiries on Autotrader in April, topping petrol at 25%, according to new data from Autotrader and Zapmap.
  • Estimated running costs for typical EV use were £960 lower than petrol in April, with the figure reflecting higher petrol prices linked to the Iran conflict and an 80/20 home‑to‑public charging split.
  • After discounts and government support in April, new electric models were on average £455 cheaper than petrol equivalents, Autotrader said.
  • Median monthly lease prices reported by Octopus Electric Vehicles put EVs at £369 versus £409 for petrol, pointing to about £40 in monthly savings.
  • The Department for Transport counts 120,338 public charger plugs across the UK, a build‑out that underpins the shift toward electric driving.