Iran War Driving Up Demand for Electric Vehicles
Collected Photo
Just a week ago, Roscoe Jewell, owner of the Sydney-based online marketplace Amazing EV, was selling at most one used electric vehicle (EV) every two months. However, following the onset of the war involving Iran, his biz landscape has shifted dramatically.
Jewell is now selling one car every two weeks. He noted that it has become increasingly difficult to find second-hand EVs within the $20,000 to $50,000 price range. Due to the surge in demand, prices have also climbed by 10% to 20%.
The ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States has created significant volatility in the global fuel market. To escape the skyrocketing prices of petrol and diesel, ordinary citizens and businesses alike are now pivoting toward electric vehicles.
A report by Qatar-based media outlet Al Jazeera highlights this unprecedented global surge in EV adoption.
Following a slump in 2025, EV sales in the world’s two largest economies—the United States and China—have seen a major jump this year. According to the China Automobile Dealers Association, EV sales in China grew by 82.6% in March compared to the previous month. In the U.S., over 82,000 units were sold last month.
Vietnamese local brand VinFast reported that its sales have increased by 127% compared to last year.
The situation is mirrored across Europe and other parts of Asia. In Japan, EV sales have nearly tripled compared to the previous year, while in South Korea, the growth rate stands at 172%. Tesla registrations in France have tripled, with similar trends observed in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
Euan Graham, an analyst at the energy think tank Ember, said the war against Iran has accelerated the trend of electric vehicle adoption in emerging markets, including Southeast Asia—a shift reminiscent of past energy crises like the one triggered by the Ukraine war.
Take Australia, for example. While the country exports vast amounts of coal and gas, it must import 80% of its required oil. Last month, the Australian government announced it only had a one-month supply of fuel in reserve.
The spread of this news has created a sense of panic among the public. Kevin Alberica, Operations Manager at Evolve Motors in Melbourne, said, "One of my staff members sold seven Teslas in a single day last Saturday." He added, "At one point, we had 100 Teslas in stock; now it’s almost empty. I’m looking for new cars, but it’s becoming difficult to find them in the market."
Jared, a 27-year-old government employee from Melbourne, purchased an electric car just before the Iran war began.
Sharing his experience, Jared said, "I am surprised by the cost. I was able to charge the entire car at home for just $6.60. Compared to a standard petrol car, it is unbelievably cost-effective."
