Several European countries have seen a significant increase in consumer interest in electric cars since the outbreak of the Iran war, as rising oil prices have highlighted this type of vehicle, which relies on more affordable electricity compared to traditional fuel. Online car companies in the UK, Germany, France, and Spain reported a sharp increase in demand for electric cars since the war began on February 28th, noting that recent events have led to a rapid rise in oil prices, while electricity prices have remained relatively stable. In this context, the German car company 'Mobile.de' explained that the rise in fuel prices was the main driver behind the boom in the electric car market. The company's CEO, Ajay Bhatia, stated that inquiries about new electric cars increased by more than 50% in March compared to the previous February, while inquiries related to gasoline and diesel cars decreased. He noted that hybrid cars, which combine a traditional engine with a battery, saw a slight increase in demand of 4%. Among the most requested cars, the Volkswagen ID.3 stood out as one of the leading battery-powered electric cars, with part of this interest also due to government support in Germany, where Berlin offers financial incentives of up to 6,000 euros to encourage the purchase of electric cars. Bhatia explained that the price of diesel reaching 2.50 euros per liter in Germany was a strong incentive for consumers to switch to zero-emission cars, a shift that was not easy in a country considered the birthplace of internal combustion engines. In the UK, demand for electric cars increased by 23%, while interest in hybrid cars increased by 19%. In France, online searches for electric cars increased by 160% between early March and early April. Although demand has surged, the question remains whether this interest will be sustainable, with some experts believing this increase represents a temporary surge that may decrease later but will stabilize at a higher level, supported by improved charging infrastructure and lower electric car prices.
