Experts say drivers should make this huge shift - 'it's a no brainer'
Motorists are being urged to rethink what they drive as soaring fuel prices and record EV sales combine to create what experts call a "no-brainer" shift.
Demand for electric and hybrid vehicles has surged to unprecedented levels, with March becoming the strongest month on record for electrified car registrations. A total of 196,059 electrified vehicles were registered, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), underlining a dramatic shift in consumer behaviour.
RAC figures show petrol prices have rocketed to an average of 157.02 per litre - the highest since May 2024 - after jumping more than 12% in just five weeks amid the Iran conflict. Some drivers have even been hit with prices exceeding £2 per litre.
Diesel has climbed even more steeply to 189.42p per litre, its most expensive level since December 2022. Against this backdrop, experts say the economics of switching are becoming increasingly compelling.
Tony Redondo, founder of Cosmos Currency Exchange, told Newspage: "The UK's record-breaking March for electrified vehicles is a natural response to the seismic shift in energy costs."
He added the rise in the cost of petrol meant "the 'no-brainer' argument for EVs is strengthening". Electric vehicles now offer substantially lower running costs per mile. Mr Redondo calculates that EVs cost approximately 6p per mile, in stark contrast to petrol cars which run at around 17p per mile.
That gap is proving decisive for many households already under financial pressure. The surge is being felt across all types of electrified vehicles.
- Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) jumped 24.2% to 86,120 registrations
- Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) surged 46.9%, taking a 13% market share
- Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) rose 7.3%, accounting for 15.8% of the market
The list of best-selling EVs include Tesla's Model Y, and Model 3, the MG4, the Volkswagen ID.3/ID.4 and China's BYD models
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: "The strongest new car market since 2019, with the highest ever volume of EV registrations, is a boost to the industry and the economy."
At the same time, falling prices are making the switch more accessible. Data from the AA Cars Used Car Index shows the average cost of the 20 most in-demand used EVs and hybrids dropped to £16,553 in the first quarter of 2026 - down 1.7% on the previous quarter and 7.1% lower than a year ago.
James Hosking, managing director of AA Cars, said: "Used EV and hybrid prices continued to soften... helping make low-emission cars more attainable for a wider group of buyers."
He added that models such as the Toyota Yaris hybrid, Nissan Leaf and Renault Zoe are seeing particularly strong demand in the used market. For those who have already made the switch, the benefits are immediate.
Steven Greenall, a mortgage and protection adviser, said: "I transitioned from a diesel to an EV back in October 2025 and couldn't be happier with it." He added: "With the surge in fuel prices recently it's been very satisfying as we are able to charge at home. Every day you leave the house with 'a full tank' and who drives over 200 miles a day?"
But experts caution the transition is not without challenges. Katrina Young, digital transformation strategist at KYC Digital, said: "The economics are clear... but the switch is not straightforward." She warned: "Charging infrastructure is fragmented... Long journeys require planning that petrol drivers have never needed to think about."