THE UK’s largest leasing deal aggregator, Leasing.com, reports a marked shift towards electric and hybrid vehicles following recent sharp rises in fuel prices over recent weeks.
According to the RAC Fuel Watch, petrol has risen by 10p a litre and diesel by nearly 20p per litre.
This comes against the backdrop of ongoing conflicts which have contributed to disruption in global oil supply routes and increased volatility in fuel prices. Today (19 Mar), the price of of oil has risen to $119 a barrel.
The surge in fuel prices is sparking demand for electric cars, Leasing.com saying that since the 28th of February, battery electric vehicles have topped the enquiry list at 42.8%, with hybrids on 24.4%, presenting a combined 67.2% share for electrified cars. Petrol enquiries have tumbled to 26.7% and diesel to just 6.1%, leaving conventional engines on a mere 32.8% of total interest.
The Leasing.com Car Leasing Report 2025, published in January 2026 and analysing Leasing.com’s own 2025 enquiry data, recorded petrol still dominant at 41%, EVs at 34.1%, hybrids at 22.8%, and diesel a marginal 2.1%.
The report also forecasted EV demand crossing 40% this year, driven by affordable Chinese models, battery advances, government grants and salary sacrifice schemes across the UK. If fuel prices remain elevated, Leasing.com expects the shift towards electrified vehicles to accelerate further into the summer.
Mike Fazal, CEO of Leasing.com commented:
“We’ve tracked steady electrified growth through 2025, when electric and hybrid enquiries combined hit 56.9% of total interest. This March, that figure has risen to 67.2%, primarily driven by battery electric vehicles climbing from 34.1% to 42.8%, while hybrids have remained stable.”
Leasing.com was a partner of Broker News at the recent BN25 2026 event, revealing the league table of the biggest leasing brokers.
Photo by Timo Masri on Unsplash
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