
All economic eyes have been on the Middle East for the last month, watching for signs that fallout from the war in Iran will begin to affect various markets. Now reporting from Reuters is detailing exactly how the conflict is hitting Europe, at least in one specific way.
Rising fuel prices tied to the war have already begun reshaping Europe’s car market, says the report, with a sharp jump in demand for used electric vehicles as car buyers react to higher costs at the pump.
Since the war began on February 28, disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz, a shipping route that sees roughly 20% of global oil supplies, have pushed gas prices higher across Europe. Average gas prices in the European Union rose about 12% between late February and mid-March, reaching roughly €1.84 per liter. To put it in perspective, that translates to over $8 per gallon.
That spike quickly affected buyer behavior, most immediately in the used-car market. Online sites across Europe have seen a surge in EV interest and sales, with EVs gaining ground over traditional gasoline and diesel models.
“There is currently an electric car bonanza in the used market,” Terje Dahlgren, an analyst at Norway’s Finn.no marketplace, told Reuters.
Aramisauto, a retailer based in France, said it saw its EV sales nearly double over a three-week period. At the same time, sales of gas- and diesel-powered vehicles fell. Aramisauto CEO Romain Boscher said the shift is due primarily to price sensitivity.
Various outlets across Europe have reported the same. Marketplace operator OLX reported EV search increases of 50% in France, 54% in Portugal, and nearly 40% in Poland and Romania. In Germany, mobile.de said EV-related searches tripled in early March, while dealer inquiries rose 66%.
Analysts say the used EV segment is especially suited to fill the gap when gas prices spike because they are more affordable and immediately available compared to new cars, which often have long delivery times.
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