Fuel and Powerplants: Whatʼs the Market Priority Right Now? Overview for March 2026
March 2026 will be remembered by Ukrainian car owners not only for the spring warmth, but also for unprecedented figures at gas stations. The average price of UAH 72 per liter of A-95 gasoline and the shocking UAH 86 for diesel fuel became the main markers of changes in the structure of the car market. In all three segments — new cars, imports and domestic resales — we observe a common trend: a panic flight from diesel and rapid electrification.
Domestic market
In the domestic secondary market, diesel cars showed the most significant decline — minus 2.6 percentage points (to a share of 27.6% ). This is a direct consequence of the fact that operating a used diesel car at a fuel price of 86 UAH/l becomes economically unjustified for the middle class.
Instead, the electric vehicle segment showed anomalous growth of 3.1 pp, reaching a share of 6.5%. When gas (LPG) costs UAH 47 and gasoline costs UAH 72, even the most ardent skeptics begin to study charging schedules. In fact, every third percentage point of electric vehicle growth is a former owner of a diesel or gasoline car who is tired of working “at the pump” of a gas station.
Import of used cars
In the segment of "freshly imported" cars, the situation is similar. Diesel lost 1.1 pp., and gasoline cars sank by 2 pp. At the same time, the share of electric cars in imports jumped to 8.9% (+3.2 pp).
Special attention deserves the "exotic" statistics. In March, one Toyota Mirai on hydrogen was registered. This is the first such registration in 2026, although the experience of previous years shows that there are always such daredevils: 8 units in 2025, 2 in 2024 and 3 in 2023. Since the network of hydrogen filling stations in Ukraine is consistently zero, the owners of such cars are probably either conducting scientific experiments or sincerely believing that if the car has a tank, then it can be filled with water from the tap (spoiler: no, you canʼt). These are more collectorʼs items than a market trend.
New cars
The new car market is demonstrating the most radical rejection of traditional "heavy" fuel. The share of diesel cars here has fallen by 3.5 percentage points (to 22.1% ). This is the highest rate of decline among all segments. Buyers of new cars clearly understand: with a diesel engine for 86 UAH, the payback of the car becomes illusory.
The main beneficiary of the changes were hybrids, whose share increased to 32% (+1.3 pp). This is an ideal compromise for those who are afraid of complete dependence on the outlet, but want to spend as little as possible on gasoline (which is 14 UAH cheaper than diesel). Gasoline cars also gained a little in share ( +1.6 pp ), but solely due to the outflow of buyers from diesel versions of popular crossovers.
Brief conclusion
March statistics prove: the best incentive for technological progress is the price tag at the gas station.
- Diesel is becoming a niche product for those who critically need torque, regardless of price.
- Hybrids have become the new "standard" for new car buyers.
- Electric cars have finally moved from the category of "toys" to the category of "survival vehicles."
The Ukrainian car market in March 2026 is a market for people who know how to count money. And these calculations are increasingly leading to an outlet, not an oil pipe.
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