Record numbers of UK motorists are turning to electrified vehicles (EVs) as fuel costs soar.

The ongoing Middle East crisis has driven oil prices to new highs, with little end in sight.

It is reshaping car buying behaviour, according to new analysis from Indicata.

Shifting sands

The latest Indicata Market Watch report shows used electric vehicle (EV) sales surged to 9.8% of all used car transactions in April, up sharply from 7.4% in March, marking the highest level on record.

This uplift in EV sales, not to mention the huge increase in enquiries and research into buying an EV, reflects a growing consumer response to rising petrol and diesel prices, which have been driven to record levels by disruption to global energy supplies.

The conflict in the Middle East has triggered a significant oil shock, with Brent crude prices climbing above $110 a barrel this week amid announcements from President Trump that the blockade of the Starits of Hormuz will continue indefinitely, as well as rumours of possible troops on the ground in Iran in an escalation of the war.

Fuel prices are likely to remain volatile, with possible further increases in prices as supplies dwindle.

Petrol prices in the UK have already risen by around 10%, while diesel has increased by as much as 20%, placing additional financial pressure on households and fleets.

Average fuel prices are now £1.89 per litre for diesel and £1.59 per litre for petrol.

Global energy prices are forecast to rise by as much as 24% in 2026, further intensifying the cost burden on motorists.

Pump pressure

Recent consumer behaviour reflects this pressure, with reports of “panic buying” at fuel pumps and a surge in fuel sales as drivers react to price spikes.

Against this backdrop, the appeal of electric vehicles has strengthened considerably, particularly in the used market, where affordability is a key factor for many buyers.

Indicata’s data shows that stock levels of used EVs have fallen from 10% to 9.1%, as demand accelerates and available inventory tightens. Meanwhile, the Market Days’ Supply (MDS)—a key measure of how quickly vehicles sell—has dropped to just 41 days for EVs, down from 85 days in January.

This makes EVs the second-fastest-selling powertrain after petrol vehicles, highlighting a dramatic turnaround in market dynamics following a period of oversupply.

Dean Merritt, UK national retail strategy manager at Indicata, said the shift is clear: “We are seeing a clear acceleration in used EV sales, combined with a contraction in stock levels, which is improving market fluidity.”

He added that the trend has helped clear a backlog of used EV inventory, although prices have fallen 0.5% over the past month, suggesting the market is still adjusting.

Priced out

For fleet operators, the findings reinforce a growing strategic shift.

Rising fuel costs are not only impacting day-to-day operating expenses but also accelerating the transition to lower-cost, zero-emission alternatives.

With many fleets already under pressure to decarbonise, EVs are increasingly being seen as both an environmental and economic solution.

However, Indicata cautions that the sustainability of this surge remains uncertain.

If energy prices stabilise or fall, demand for EVs could soften.

For now, though, the combination of high fuel costs and improving EV availability is creating a “sweet spot” for adoption.

Changing world

The broader economic context suggests the pressure may persist.

Disruption to oil flows through key routes such as the Strait of Hormuz has reduced global supply and pushed up costs across energy markets.

This has knock-on effects for inflation, consumer confidence and transport costs—all of which influence vehicle purchasing decisions.

Industry experts say the current crisis underscores how external shocks can accelerate long-term structural change.

While the transition to electric mobility has been driven largely by policy and environmental targets, the latest data suggests cost pressures are now playing an equally powerful role.

As fuel prices rise, the financial case for switching to electric becomes harder to ignore.

For the automotive sector, the latest figures indicate that the shift to electrification may be happening faster and more decisively than previously expected.