The war that broke out in Iran at the end of February caused a sudden and violent spike in gasoline prices across Europe, radically changing the priorities of millions of drivers.
As the Guardian writes in an in-depth report, while the cost of traditional fuel soared, electricity remained relatively stable and affordable, making battery-powered cars no longer just an ecological option for a few idealists, but a practical and cost-effective solution to contain daily expenses.
The main online marketplaces for new and used cars in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Spain have recorded increases in electric vehicle inquiries that, in some cases, have exceeded 100% within a few weeks. This unexpected acceleration has taken the entire sector by surprise and, according to several experts, could leave a lasting mark on Europeans’ purchasing habits, pushing the market towards a faster transition than many expected just a few months ago.
The fuel price explosion
The conflict erupted with the first attacks launched on February 28, which effectively led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This event triggered real chaos in the commodity markets, with immediate repercussions on pump prices throughout Europe.
In Germany, for example, the price of diesel reached 2.50 euros per liter, while many other countries saw similar increases accompanied by street protests and growing concern over the cost of daily living.
In contrast, electricity prices, although slightly up, did not suffer the same violent shock. In this economic emergency scenario, the advantage of a car that charges from a home outlet suddenly became evident and tangible for a much wider range of drivers than in the past.
The numbers of the “electric boom” on German marketplaces
Germany, long considered the homeland of internal combustion engines, has experienced the most surprising turnaround. Mobile.de, the country’s largest car classifieds platform, spoke bluntly of a real “E-Car Boom,” describing the rising fuel cost as a decisive “catalyst” for this change of course.
In March, compared to February, requests for fully electric cars grew by over 50%, while searches for gasoline and diesel models dropped sharply. Hybrid cars, which combine a traditional engine with a supporting battery, saw only a modest 4% increase. Among pure electric vehicles, the Volkswagen ID.3 confirmed itself as the most searched for overall.
Ajay Bhatia, CEO of Mobile.de, commented with an effective phrase: “What the German energy transition failed to achieve in years of incentives and campaigns, the harsh impact of economic reality has almost done on its own”.
The United Kingdom and Spain
The phenomenon has also clearly manifested itself in the United Kingdom and Spain. Carwow, active in these two countries as well as in Germany, recorded increases in electric vehicle inquiries ranging from 20% to 30% between February and March. In the UK alone, interest in battery cars rose by 23%, while interest in hybrids increased by 19%.
Iain Read, content director at Carwow, noted that the shift from internal combustion engines was already underway for some time, but the conflict acted as a powerful accelerator: “consumers are increasingly concerned about the cost of living and are trying to keep monthly fixed bills under control”.
Confirming this trend, data released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed that in March, registrations of fully electric cars in the UK reached 86,120 units, marking a 24.2% increase compared to the same month the previous year and setting a new historical record for the British market.
France and other markets
In France, the response was even more marked. La Centrale, one of the country’s main classifieds sites, recorded a 160% increase in electric car searches between early March and early April.
Guillaume-Henri Blanchet, deputy general manager of the platform, explained that “drivers are extremely sensitive to energy prices and immediately look for valid alternatives”.
The reaction was rapid both on new cars and, to an even greater extent, on used electric cars, indicating that many drivers are considering more affordable solutions to enter the electric world.
AutoScout24 also recorded a jump in demand for battery vehicles of about 40% in Germany, Austria, and Italy, while requests for gasoline and diesel models remained essentially stable or even decreased. This shift in interest confirms that, wherever the price of filling up has become a real problem, drivers have started to think in terms of total cost of ownership rather than just purchase price.
