Soaring fuel prices have sparked a surge in interest in electric cars, with drivers increasingly worried about the cost of filling up rather than the distance an EV can travel. The traditional fear of 'range anxiety' is being overtaken by 'pump anxiety' as fuel prices climb sharply following the Iran conflict, according to the latest AA EV Readiness Index.
Surge in Used EV Searches
Searches for used electric vehicles on its AA Cars platform jumped by 78% between March and May compared with the previous three months, suggesting motorists are looking for ways to escape volatile forecourt prices. Its quarterly index found that the UK's readiness to switch to electric vehicles rose from 53.8 to 58.8 during the second quarter of 2026, helped by widening cost savings for drivers who can charge at home.
Cost Savings at Home
Petrol prices reached 159.6p a litre at the end of May, almost 20% higher than during the previous quarter covered by the index. As a result, the AA found that motorists charging their EV at home can now drive for around 67% less per mile than drivers of equivalent petrol cars, up from a saving of 57% in the first quarter. The motoring organisation estimates that equates to a saving of at least £20 for every 200 miles driven.
Shift in Consumer Concerns
AA president Edmund King said: "Range anxiety has shifted to pump anxiety as global petrol and diesel prices have rocketed since the Iran conflict began. For years, some drivers have been put off EVs by real or perceived range anxiety. But this latest Index suggests the bigger concern for many households is becoming pump anxiety. When global fuel prices rise sharply, drivers feel it immediately at the forecourt. EV drivers, particularly those with access to home charging, have been better insulated from that volatility. That is now showing up in the used car market, where searches for electric vehicles on AA Cars have risen by more than 75% in the last three months."
Second-Hand Market Focus
The rush towards electric vehicles appears to be concentrated in the second-hand market, where buyers are targeting older and more affordable models. The most searched-for used EVs on AA Cars were the Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model 3 and Kia Niro, all of which have been on the market for more than seven years. However, the AA warned that significant obstacles remain before electric cars become the default choice for most households.
Remaining Challenges
While running costs remain attractive, the purchase price of many new EVs is still higher than that of comparable petrol cars. The report also found that used EVs, which were around 10% cheaper than petrol equivalents in the first quarter, had become 3% more expensive by the second quarter as demand increased. Public charging costs remain another sticking point. Although the gap narrowed as petrol prices rose, the AA found that using ultra-rapid public chargers was still around 15% more expensive per mile than driving a petrol car. That compares with 35% more expensive in the previous quarter.
Divide in EV Benefits
The findings underline a growing divide between motorists who can charge at home and benefit from cheaper electricity tariffs and those who rely on the public charging network. Mr King said: "The used EV market is becoming a critical part of the transition. Drivers are not only looking at new technology; they are looking for value, familiarity and lower running costs. But the benefits are still uneven. Drivers without driveways or access to cheaper overnight tariffs are not getting the same savings. Unless public charging becomes more affordable and accessible, the EV transition risks becoming a two-speed market."
Charging Network Expansion
The AA's figures show the UK's charging network continues to expand, with 121,262 charging points now installed – around 40% of the Government's target of 300,000 chargers by 2030. At the same time, reliability concerns appear to be easing. Running out of charge accounted for just 1.2% of AA EV call-outs during the quarter, down from 1.5% previously, while 88.4% of EV breakdowns were fixed at the roadside compared with 84.6% for petrol and diesel vehicles.
Future Outlook
The report suggests the latest fuel price shock may provide a short-term boost to electric car demand, although the AA cautioned that interest could ease if global oil markets stabilise. Even so, it believes many motorists may have been permanently reminded of the financial risks of relying on petrol and diesel, potentially changing buying habits for years to come.
