New data from Autotrader and Zapmap shows annual electric vehicle (EV) fuel cost savings were the highest since records began, £960, in April, following spikes in petrol prices driven by the conflict in the Middle East. Autotrader announces electric was the most popular fuel type for new cars on its platform for the first time ever in April 2026, taking 29% of all new car enquiries. New EVs on average cheaper than petrol cars for two consecutive months, after discounts and government grants Lex Autolease join ‘Electric Cars: The Facts’ campaign created by Autotrader, ChargeUK and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders to promote user-friendly facts about electric vehicles (EVs), endorsed by the Department for Transport. Autotrader, the UK’s biggest automotive marketplace, together with Zapmap, the UK’s leading charge point mapping and data service, reveal today that potential fuel cost savings for running an electric vehicle (EV) has reached £960 in April, representing the highest savings since records began in November 2023. The findings follow months of rising petrol prices which have driven spikes in EV interest on Autotrader. The news comes as Autotrader, ChargeUK and the SMMT today release the quarterly update of the Electric Cars: The Facts campaign designed to combat misinformation surrounding electric vehicles. Updates to The Facts include: Zapmap report annual fuel cost savings are at their highest since records began in November 2023 when comparing a typical 80/20 split of home/public charging to petrol prices, with an annual saving of £960. There are now 40 new EVs with a recommended retail price (RRP) below £30,000, up from 38 in January. More than one in four (26%) used EVs on Autotrader are now priced £15,000 and below. 45% are now £20,000 and below – up from 40% in January. The average range of a new EV is now over 300 miles, up from 290 in January, with some models able to do 500 miles in a single charge. An updated methodology for how the public charging network is counted, changing from the number of charging points (which can include multiple chargers) to the number of charger plugs available – currently 120,338. Autotrader’s latest figures show that the average price of a new EV advertised on its platform has fallen below that of a petrol car, including discounts and government grants. This has now happened for two consecutive months with March’s price gap at £296 and April at £455. [1] Other updates – 120,338 chargers for EV drivers The Department for Transport has recently changed the way it reports on the number of charge points in the UK, switching from the number of charging devices – which can contain multiple individual EV chargers – to the number of individual chargers (also can be described as an electric vehicle supply equipment EVSE). This means the total is now 120,338 from April, up from 116,052 in January. [BM1] Given the growing used electric market, the Facts now uses £15,000 as the headline price point for used EVs, where it previously showed the proportion of used EVs available from £20,000. Autotrader also announces today that, for the first time ever, EVs were the most popular fuel type on its platform, with 29% of all new car enquiries – when a buyer contacts a retailer about a car – in April, up from 17% in April 2025. Petrol took 25% (down from 35% in 2025) and diesel was down at 7.8% (10.5% in 2025). Plug-in hybrids took 18% of all enquiries, up from 12% in April 2025. Vehicle leasing company Lex Autolease is today announced as new champions of cross-industry Facts initiative as part of the quarterly update. The campaign promotes a set of user-friendly, simplified facts that offer a data-backed view of the reality of owning and driving electric cars to dispel popular misconceptions. Paul Hyne, Commercial Director, Lex Autolease, commented: “ The EV conversation has moved on. Choice has broadened, technology has matured, and more drivers are experiencing electric as part of normal life. From our perspective, financing one in eight electric vehicles on UK roads gives us a front‑row view of that progress. Supporting The Facts is about helping that momentum continue, by sharing clear, up‑to‑date information that reflects how electric vehicles are actually being used today.” Melanie Shufflebotham, Co-founder & COO at Zapmap, said: “At Zapmap we’ve been monitoring the cost of charging on the public network since November 2023. This shows that the vast majority of drivers choosing electric will enjoy total cost of ownership savings – even more so as the cost of new EVs continues to fall. We’re now seeing that for EV drivers with a typical 80/20 split between home and public charging, the cost saving of charging their EV compared to fuelling a petrol or diesel car is at the highest level since we began tracking. “Getting the facts on the reality of EVs and charging out into the market is critical to enable the next million drivers to make the switch to electric with confidence.” Marc Palmer, Head of Strategy and Insights at Autotrader commented : “Now more than ever, it’s vital consumers understand the potential benefits of electric driving, with average running cost savings so high and upfront price reducing, it’s a great time to consider. We’re determined to ensure drivers have the right information to make informed choices that best suit their needs and we’re delighted Lex Autolease have joined our campaign. Whilst we know electric cars might not yet be right for all buyers just yet, we hope The Facts help provide confidence for those that are keen to make the switch.” New champions Lex Autolease join the AA, Fleet News, the Institute of the Motor Industry, Zapmap, the National Franchise Dealer Association, the British Vehicle Rental Leasing Association, Cox Automotive Europe and EVA England as supporters of The Facts initiative.