Electric and hybrid vehicles are steadily gaining popularity in the leasing market, now accounting for 42.5% of all vehicles leased through Leasing Options, up from 34.8% a year ago, Motor Trade News reported.
Despite this rise, petrol vehicles remain the most widely chosen fuel type, making up 56.6% of total leases. However, their share has dropped from 63.3% over the same period, indicating a gradual shift in consumer preference.
Fully electric vehicles have shown strong growth, increasing their share to 21% from 13.7% last year.
The data also highlights a notable trend among older drivers. People aged 41 to 50 are leading the transition, with over half—50.3%—now opting for electric or hybrid models. Among those aged 51 to 60, the share has risen to 45.6%, while 50.1% of drivers aged over 61 are also choosing electrified vehicles, reflecting growing acceptance across age groups.
Mike Thompson, Chief Operating Officer at the company, said that while petrol vehicles still dominate, the gap is narrowing as more drivers consider electric options.
He noted that the shift is no longer limited to younger consumers, with increasing interest from more established age groups. Hybrid vehicles, including plug-in models, are often seen as a transition step for drivers moving towards fully electric options, especially as concerns around charging and driving range begin to ease.
Thompson added that the overall trend is clear, with demand steadily moving towards electric and hybrid vehicles as they become more practical and widely accessible.
