Petrol prices are rising again - but most EV drivers won’t feel it

Petrol and diesel prices are on the way up again across the UK.

As of April 2026, according to the RAC, they’re expected to keep climbing - and as usual, that change is already starting to show up at the pump.

For a lot of drivers, that means the return of something pretty familiar:

• Watching the price tick up 
• Second-guessing longer journeys
• Feeling like costs are creeping up without much warning

But if you’re driving electric, your experience likely looks very different right now.

One of the biggest shifts EV drivers notice isn’t just cost - it’s consistency.

While petrol prices move with global oil markets, electric driving is largely powered by electricity tariffs that are far more stable (and often cheaper, especially if you’re charging smartly).

In fact, in a recent Octopus EV survey, 77% of drivers said they feel protected from sudden petrol price spikes.

And it’s easy to see why.

There’s no standing at the pump watching numbers climb. And no timing fill-ups to try and beat the next increase.

For many, it’s as simple as plugging in during off-peak hours and getting on with their day.

Rising petrol prices tend to bring back a particular kind of mental load.

Even if you’re not actively thinking about it, it’s there:

• Noticing price boards as you drive past
• Doing rough maths before a longer trip
• Wondering if it’s about to go up again next week

It’s something most drivers just accept as part of driving.

Until they don’t have to anymore.

Interest in electric cars has jumped by 89% in recent weeks, as more petrol drivers start questioning rising costs again.

So while you’re not feeling the impact directly, more people around you probably are.

And globally, the shift is accelerating too - with EVs now reducing oil demand by the equivalent of 1.7 million barrels every day.

Electric driving isn’t completely fixed-cost - but it is far more controllable.

Depending on how you charge, you can:

• Take advantage of off-peak electricity rates
• Charge at home, at work, or on the go
• Get a clearer sense of your monthly running costs

That means fewer surprises - and more visibility over what driving actually costs you.

Petrol price increases haven’t gone anywhere - and they’re still affecting millions of drivers across the UK.

Petrol prices haven’t settled down - they’re still volatile and hard to predict.

But if you’re already driving electric, you’ve stepped away from that cycle.

And as an Octopus EV driver, your savings increase further with EV Saver.