Soaring petrol prices spark record electric car sales - and surprise best seller

Soaring petrol prices spark record electric car sales - and surprise best sellerA surge in petrol and diesel prices because of the Iran war has seen a rush of interest in electric cars as owners look to avoid pain at the pumpsCommentsMoneyGraham Hiscott Business and Consumer Editor11:45, 07 Apr 2026View 4 ImagesThe cost of filling up with petrol and diesel could accelerate a switch to electric cars (Image: Huchot-Boissier Patricia/ABACA/Shutterstock)Rocketing fuel prices has sparked record sales of electric cars, industry figures have revealed.‌Trade body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said last month saw the highest number of new cars take to the road for any March since 2019.‌March is the industry’s most important of the year because it is one of two when number plates changes, prompting a rush of buyers ordering a new set of wheel.‌A total of 380,627 vehicles were registered during the month, representing a 6.6% increase on last year’s figure.The increase was driven by the best month on record for electrified vehicle, at 196,059. The bulk of those were battery electric cars, with sales soaring 24% to a new record of 86,120 registrations in the month.View 4 ImagesA leap in fuel prices after the outbreak of the Iran war is making car buyers think of switching to electric (Image: Getty Images)‌Britain’s best selling model in March was the Chinese made Jaecoo 7, the first time the brand has held the top spot. It comes amid a wave of electric cars from China that are proving a major challenge to Western manufacturers.Jaecoo only launched in the UK in February 2025 and saw a 570% surge in UK sales year on year in March. Its sales of just over 12,700 was almost as many as Volvo and 4,000 more than Elon Musk’s Tesla brand.It is the first time since January 2023 and MG that a Chinese made model has been the UK's best seller,. The next best selling model last month was the Ford Puma, then the Nissan Qashqai.‌The biggest rise was for plug-in hybrid cars...