Average new EV price in UK falls below petrol for first time, Autotrader data shows

The average new electric car listed on Autotrader now costs £42,620, making it £785 cheaper than the £43,405 average for new petrol models, marking the first time EVs have undercut combustion vehicles on upfront price in the UK. Autotrader attributes the shift to manufacturer discounting driven by ZEV mandate pressures, while Octopus Electric Vehicles and Charge UK describe the development as a milestone that removes a major barrier to EV adoption. The figures reflect advertised prices after dealer discounts.

Why it matters: Lower upfront EV costs are likely to accelerate fleet electrification and consumer demand, increasing the urgency for charge point operators to expand public and workplace infrastructure. Procurement teams may see faster project pipelines as the total cost of ownership argument strengthens across both private and commercial vehicle segments.