- Electric vehicles now cost less than gasoline vehicles, according to new data
- Purchase price has been a major barrier to EV adoption.
- The most in-demand brands and models of electric vehicles revealed: MG and Renault top the lists
Sustainability Week 2026
This article is part of a series of sustainability-themed articles we are publishing to commemorate Earth Day 2026 and promote more sustainable practices. Check out all our Sustainability Week 2026 content.
For anyone considering switching to an electric vehicle (EV), there is good news, as data shows that new battery-powered cars are now, on average, cheaper than their gasoline-powered equivalents.
This is according to AutoTrader, which has found that a new electric car costs £42,620 on average, compared to £43,405 for a new petrol vehicle. While the £785 difference may not be huge in terms of a car costing over £40k, it does indicate the positive change in EV prices.
The report notes that “discounts on electric cars remain historically high,” with an average discount on new electric vehicles of 11.7%, compared to 10% for gasoline cars.
Article continues below.
This news comes after electric vehicles just had their best ever month in the UK and it was reported that prices for used electric vehicles have reached parity with those of used petrol models.
Is now the time to buy an electric vehicle?
Electric vehicles have been more expensive than their gasoline counterparts for years, but prices have been slowly falling while manufacturers have launched more affordable battery models in recent years.
The Government’s EV Grant also helps reduce the price of new EVs (priced at £37,000 or less), with a ‘Band 1’ discount of £3,750 available for more sustainably produced models.
There is also a £1,500 ‘Band 2’ grant, which more electric vehicles currently fall under, with eligibility criteria taking into account emissions from vehicle assembly and the sustainability of battery pack production.
All of this means that electric vehicles are following the pricing trend of new technology, where initially the cost is high, but as supply chains and manufacturing processes mature, the cost of producing goods falls.
This shift seems to have taken longer with EVs (we tend to see flagship features from smartphones and TVs trickle down to affordable models more quickly), but it’s happening now.
Combine the price reduction with improvements in EV range, new rules for home EV charging, and continued uncertainty around the current fuel crisis, and buying an electric car is something I would recommend if you’re in a position to do so.
Which electric vehicles are proving popular?
According to AutoTrader data from April 2026, MG is the most in-demand electric vehicle brand, followed by Renault and Kia.
However, it is Renault that has the most popular model, with the Renault 5 topping the charts as the most consulted vehicle, beating the Jaecoo 5 and MG S5.
And affordable models continue to be announced, with Hyundai’s new compact and aerodynamic Ioniq 3 arriving with a 300-mile range and an attractive price, while we recently fell in love with the affordable Renault Twingo.
The competition to be the best electric vehicle is fiercer than ever, and that’s great news for anyone looking to go electric.
Through electric vehicles
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to receive news, reviews and opinions from our experts in your feeds. Be sure to click the Follow button!
And of course you can also follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form and receive regular updates from us on WhatsApp also.
