Petrol and diesel price hikes have boosted demand for electric cars, according to dealers. New data from Carwow, seen exclusively by Express.co.uk, has revealed that electric car enquiries are up 23% since the end of February, when fuel prices began to soar.

Second-hand electric car demand rose by a whopping 30% as motorists sought alternatives to protect against future fuel price hikes. The cost of filling up a 55-litre family car has soared, with diesel tanks costing £105.22 to top up, a £27 rise since the end of February. The price to fill up petrol cars is now £87, £14 more than before fuel costs soared in response to the conflict in the Middle East.

The pattern is being repeated across the motoring industry, with dealers and forecourts explaining they have noticed a recent increase in demand for electric models. Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Siobhan Doyle, consumer writer at Carwow, stressed the "data points to a clear shift in car-buying behaviour".

Siobhan said: "As fuel prices rise, more drivers are seriously considering making the switch to electric, but they're also doing their homework. As well as researching cars, prospective EV buyers are spending more time researching their local charging network and running costs, using tools to understand how an electric car would fit into their day-to-day lives before taking the plunge."

Robert Forrester, Chief Executive of Vertu Motors plc, stressed they had recorded a noticeable uplift in electric vehicle enquiries in recent weeks. He explained that customers were feeling that electric cars offered more stable running costs compared to rising fuel fees, which was "clearly driving interest".

Robert said that Vertu dealers have been seeing more hesitant customers seriously considering EVs since the start of the crisis, with rising fuel costs proving the tipping point for those on the fence.

He added: "What's different this time is that the fuel crisis isn't happening in isolation. Consumers are better informed about EV range, and the UK's charging infrastructure continues to expand. As a result, when petrol and diesel prices spike, switching to electric feels like a practical decision rather than an aspirational one."

Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) revealed that electric car volumes rose by 24.2% in March to reach record highs. But they warned that the overall market share was still below expectations, with 22.6% down on the mandated end-of-year target of 33%.

Cherie Carter, Director at Indigo Car Hire, said the company had noticed a clear rise in EV demand over the past year. Cherie told Express.co.uk that when drivers are faced with fluctuating petrol and diesel costs, many road users start looking for alternatives that feel more stable day to day.

Mike Vousden, EV expert at Motorpoint, stressed that they had seen a record month for EV sales. However, he explained that it was naive to think that rising fuel prices were the direct cause of car-buying decisions, which are usually made over a much longer timeline.

James Hosking, Managing Director of AA Cars, also noticed a 62% jump in searches for electric vehicles in March compared to February. But, he was also stressed that petrol cars were still the backbone of the second-hand car market despite increased EV demand.

He told Express.co.uk: "While growing interest in EVs will gradually chip away at demand for traditional engines, it would take a much bigger and longer-term shift to make a big difference on prices.