Foreign Media: Middle East Conflict Drives Surge in European EV Sales, Chinese Brands Benefit
Owing to rising oil prices triggered by the Middle East war, European consumers are accelerating their shift toward pure electric vehicles. In March, BEV registrations in the EU's 15 major markets surged 51% month-on-month, exceeding 224,000 units. A total of over 500,000 BEVs were delivered across the EU in the first quarter of this year, with an estimated annual reduction of around 2 million barrels of oil demand.
Chinese brands have significantly benefited from this trend. According to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), China-made BEVs captured a 16% market share in the EU during the first two months of 2026, up from 12.2% for all of 2025.
The CPCA’s secretary-general noted that Chinese EVs continue to expand their presence in Europe due to high-performance batteries and competitive pricing. Following the U.S. and Israel’s military escalation against Iran at the end of February, sales are expected to accelerate further. Chris Hurlen, Secretary General of E-Mobility Europe, stated that EV sales growth in key EU markets has exceeded 40% year-on-year, marking a genuine structural shift rather than mere statistical noise.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1863097082317832/
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