The AA has announced that UK drivers are increasingly ditching petrol and diesel cars in favour of electric vehicles (EVs), driven primarily by concerns over fuel price volatility. Luke Bosdet, the AA's spokesman on pump prices, stated that large numbers of car owners who can are now switching to electricity for its more predictable costs.
Fuel Price Surge and Conflict Impact
Petrol and diesel prices soared in February 2026 following a conflict in the Middle East that disrupted global oil supplies. By April, drivers were paying 159.0p per litre for petrol and 192.4p per litre for diesel. Although prices have recently dipped, a resumption of the conflict has led to wholesale petrol costs rising by 3p to 4p.
Rising EV Electricity Consumption
New figures from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero reveal a 30.7% increase in road vehicles' power consumption between 2024 and 2025. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, electricity used by EVs jumped a further 28.1%, indicating a rapid shift towards electric mobility.
Public Sentiment and Surveys
A recent RAC poll of 1,535 UK drivers found that 30% would likely consider buying an EV due to high fuel prices. Additionally, a Turo survey of 2,009 UK adults showed that 23% plan to give up car ownership within the next five years, with one-third of those citing high petrol and diesel costs as the main reason.
Rory Brimmer, managing director UK at Turo, commented: "Britons love their cars, but the love of ownership is fading. What stands out in this year's Index is how many people are now seriously planning life without a car, not because they want to, but because the economics of ownership have become untenable for a growing number of households."
