European consumers are turning to electric vehicles as gas prices soar because of the U.S.-Israel war against Iran.
Data published by EV lobby groups E-Mobility Europe and New Automotive reported a 51% surge in demand for these vehicles in March as a direct result of the conflict restricting fuel supplies from the Persian Gulf nations, the association said in an April 20 release.
Its data claims EVs accounted for more than 224,000 cars registered across 15 key tracked European Union markets last month, accounting for 22% of all new-car sales.
More than 500,000 EVs were registered across the EU in the first quarter of this year, resulting in a year-on-year increase of 33.5%, per the release.
All five of the economic bloc’s five largest automotive markets, Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Poland, recorded growth above 40% year-to-date, as gas prices persuaded consumers to make the switch to alternative powertrains, E-Mobility Europe’s statement added.
Growth markets
Italy saw EV registrations rise by up to 65% year-to-date, having stagnated at around 5% market share at the end of 2025. The country’s EV market share grew to 8.6% in March.
German consumers took advantage of the reintroduction of EV incentives, with around one in four cars registered in March being fully electric, a 42% year-to-date increase.
France continued to lead among large markets with a 28% EV share in March, helped by its social leasing program for low-income households and saw nearly 50% year-to-date growth.
“March’s surge in electric car sales is one of Europe’s biggest recent gains in energy security, in a month when oil dependence has become a real vulnerability,” Chris Heron, secretary-general of E-Mobility Europe, said in a statement.
“The pace of change we’re now seeing across major European markets, including countries like Italy and Poland that were slower to start, suggests the transition has entered a new phase,” added Ben Nelmes, CEO of New Automotive.
