Iran Conflict Fuels Electric Vehicle Demand in Asia and Beyond

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Electric Vehicle Sales Surge as Global Fuel Prices Rise

Sydney, Australia – The recent conflict between the United States and Israel has led to a significant increase in electric vehicle sales worldwide. According to Rosco Jewell, owner of Amazing EV, an online marketplace for used electric vehicles, sales have increased by 50% over the past few weeks.

Jewell attributes the surge in demand to rising fuel prices, which have been driven up by conflict in the Middle East. “It’s becoming increasingly difficult to find used electric vehicles within a certain price range,” Jewell said. “Prices are also increasing, with some cases seeing a 20% rise.”

The trend is being seen globally, with major economies such as the United States and China experiencing significant increases in electric vehicle sales. In March, Chinese manufacturers reported an 82.6% month-on-month increase in sales, according to the China Automotive Dealers Association.

In the United States, Cox Automotive reported that electric vehicle sales topped 82,000 units last month, a 20% increase from February. Similarly, Vinfast, a local EV brand in Vietnam, reported a 127% year-on-year rise in March sales.

Analysts attribute the surge in demand to past energy shocks, such as the war in Ukraine. Euan Graham, an analyst at Ember, said that countries are increasingly looking for alternative solutions to fossil fuels. “We’re now in a period where we’ve seen two fossil fuel shocks, one after the other,” Graham said.

The trend is also being seen in Asia, with Japan’s EV sales nearly tripling year-on-year and South Korea seeing domestic purchases surge by 172%. In Europe, France recorded a three-fold increase in new registrations of Tesla cars, while Norway, Sweden, and Denmark reported similar surges in new registrations for the EV brand.

In Australia, battery electric vehicles accounted for 14.6% of total vehicle sales in March, nearly double the proportion recorded during the same month in 2025. Local dealers are reporting a sharp increase in inquiries, with some staff selling multiple electric vehicles on a single day.

The surge in demand is being driven by concerns over fuel prices and the need for alternative transportation solutions. As Australia imports about 80% of its petrol and diesel needs, the country’s government has reported having only one month of fuel reserves, with upcoming shipments secured through to May.

Source: Al Jazeera