Gen Z? Try Gen E! A quarter of youngsters think owning a petrol car is 'as outdated as having a landline' - and want an electric vehicle instead

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 06:49 EDT, 4 September 2026 | Updated: 06:51 EDT, 4 September 2026 Gen Z have a reputation for 'cancelling' popular items – and their latest verdict might be their most divisive yet. A new survey has revealed that a quarter of youngsters think owning a petrol car is as outdated as having a landline. The survey, commissioned by E.ON Next, asked 1,500 young drivers about their views on cars. The results revealed that more than half (55 per cent) now want their first car to be an electric vehicle (EV).EV expert Robert Llewellyn said: 'This generation isn't growing up with the assumption that their first car will be petrol. 'They're looking at what's available today and making a practical choice. 'There are more electric vehicles to choose from than ever before, more affordable ways to get behind the wheel, and the opportunity to keep running costs down by charging at home. 'For many young drivers, going electric isn't a statement about the future; it's simply the option that makes the most sense today.' A new survey has revealed that a quarter of youngsters think owning a petrol car is as outdated as having a landline (stock image) For the survey, E.ON Next quizzed 1,500 Brits aged 17 to 20 about their views on electric and petrol cars. Cost (20 per cent) was the main reason respondents cited for wanting an electric car, ahead of the ease of being able to charge at home (19 per cent). A fifth said they can't ever see themselves driving a petrol car, while almost two–thirds expect petrol and diesel cars to disappear in their lifetime. Twenty–four per cent even went so far as to say they wouldn't buy a new petrol or diesel car, with over half (53 per cent) agreeing they'll be the last generation ever to routinely drive them.Gráinne Regan, Propositions Director at E.ON Next, said: 'More than half of young drivers want their first car to be electric, and it's clear to see they may be onto something. 'With savings of up to £890 in the first year compared with fuel and overnight home charging for as little as £8, an EV is becoming an increasingly accessible choice for the next generation of drivers.'The findings may come as a surprise, given a recent survey found that many Gen Z are scared of driving. Experts from Tempcover surveyed youngsters about the common motoring tasks they find the most daunting.The findings may come as a surprise, given a recent survey found that many Gen Z are scared of driving Changing a flat tyre was the biggest fear, while parallel parking, hill starts, and merging onto a motorway were also found to terrify hundreds of young drivers.The findings will come as no surprise to many Gen Z, who regularly post about their driving phobias on TikTok.'POV: the panic suddenly sets in when you're about to drive somewhere new and you don't know the parking situation,' @artemis_alexis said.@romillyjane posted a video from her car, venting: 'People always think I'm being dramatic, but this is awful. Hate it, hate it, hate it.'And @loulroberts added: 'I've never even been close to a motorway. Even if I'm on a roundabout and one of the exits is a motorway, I get panicky.' Gen Z's biggest driving fears Changing a flat tyre (36%)Jump–starting the car when the battery is dead (36%)Parallel parking (24%)Checking the tyre pressure at a garage and topping them up with air (22%)Hill starts (22%)Checking oil levels (20%)Calling the insurance company / claiming (19%)Driving on the motorway (18%)Merging onto a motorway (18%)Calling breakdown cover company (18%)