Leasing.com has observed a marked shift towards electric and hybrid vehicles following recent sharp rises in fuel prices over recent weeks.
The rise in fuel prices is attributed to ongoing conflicts which have contributed to disruption in global oil supply routes.
Mike Fazal, CEO of Leasing.com, said: “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.”
Since 28 February, battery electric vehicles have topped the enquiry list at 42.8%, with hybrids close behind on 24.4%, presenting a combined 67.2% share for electrified cars.
Petrol enquiries have dropped to 26.7% and diesel to just 6.1%.
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.
