The gap in running costs between electric and petrol cars has stretched by almost £200 in the past year, according to new analysis.

Data from Autotrader and Zapmap shows that the potential fuel cost savings climbed £180 between July 2025 and July 2026 – the biggest reported gap since November 2023.

Based on a typical 80/20 split between home charging on a dedicated EV tariff and public charging, Zapmap estimates that EV owners are saving £960 per year compared with those running a petrol car.

Sustained fuel price increases in the wake of the Iran war have helped widen the gap between petrol and EV running costs, and sales data suggests they are beginning to influence more drivers to go electric.

The new data comes as Autotrader, ChargeUK and the SMMT released an update to their Electric Cars: The Facts campaign, which is designed to combat misinformation surrounding EVs.

Among the headline changes in recent months is news that there are now 46 new EVs with a retail price of under £30,000 – up from 38 in January. That figure is set to swell further as a growing number of electric city cars reach the market.

There has also been a shift in the used market. One in five (21%) used EVs on Autotrader are now priced £15,000 and below, down from 26% in May. However, 43% are now £20,000 and below – up from 40% in January, making EVs more accessible.

For the first time ever, electrified cars accounted for half of all new car enquiries on the Autotrader platform in July, with electric cars taking 29.1% and Plug-in Hybrid cars taking 20.8% of all enquiries sent to retailers.

In the same month, used electric cars dominated the list of the fastest-selling models on the platform, with three-to-five-year-old EVs flying out of forecourts 10 days faster than the market average.

Marc Palmer, Autotrader’s head of strategy and insights said: “It’s a busy time in the electric car market and we’re beginning to see sustained levels of growth in electric interest on Autotrader, both in the new and used sectors.

“In the used electric market, pricing is actually increasing on 2025 levels as demand remains robust and supply continues its recovery. It’s really encouraging to see running cost savings are maintaining the record levels we’ve seen since springtime – almost a thousand pounds a year is a substantial saving for households to consider.”

Octopus Electroverse is the latest industry player to join the “The Facts” campaign. Its founder, Matt Davis, added: “Not long ago, charging away from home felt like a massive hurdle for drivers looking to switch. Today, public chargers are everywhere, technology is better than ever, and – when combined with home charging – saving nearly £1,000 a year on fuel makes electric the undeniable choice.

“The biggest barrier left isn’t infrastructure or range, it’s simply a lack of clear information. We’re proud to join ‘Electric Cars: The Facts’ to strip away the hassle, bust the outdated myths, and give drivers the data and confidence they need to go electric.”