Demand for electric vehicles has surged in Europe: what will happen to prices for Ukrainians?
26 March 13:20
Sales of used electric vehicles in Europe have surged amid rising fuel prices caused by the conflict surrounding Iran. The rising cost of gasoline is prompting European drivers to switch to electric cars and hybrids at a faster pace. Reuters reports this, citing online automotive platforms and market analysts, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
Why electric vehicle sales have risen
The main reason was the rise in fuel prices following the escalation of the situation in the Middle East.
According to the European Commission:
- the average price of gasoline in the EU rose by 12%;
- from €1.64 to €1.84 per liter;
- the increase occurred between February 23 and March 16.
The cause was a disruption in oil supply logistics, as approximately 20% of global oil supplies pass through the region.
How has demand for electric vehicles changed?
Experts note that buyers are reacting quickly to rising gasoline prices.
For example:
- the share of electric vehicle sales on the Aramisauto platform rose from 6.5% to 12.7%;
- sales of gasoline-powered cars fell from 34% to 28%;
- and diesel cars—from 14% to 10%.
Analysts also note that electric vehicles have already begun to outpace diesel cars in popularity among used vehicles.
In which countries has interest in electric cars grown
According to OLX, the number of searches for electric vehicles has increased:
- in France — by 50%;
- in Portugal — by 54%;
- in Romania — by 40%;
- in Poland — by 39%.
Experts believe that the war has merely accelerated a trend that was already in place.
Why people choose used electric vehicles
Analysts attribute this popularity to several factors:
- used electric vehicles are 30–40% cheaper than new ones;
- they can be purchased immediately;
- new cars often require a wait of several months;
- more models have appeared on the market;
- battery condition certificates have boosted buyer confidence.
Will this affect the new car market?
Experts predict that if fuel prices remain high, new car buyers will also switch to electric vehicles and hybrids more actively.
Automakers are already leveraging this factor in their marketing, emphasizing cost savings compared to gasoline-powered cars.
What does this mean for Ukraine
This trend could also affect the Ukrainian market because:
- Ukraine actively imports used cars from Europe;
- demand for electric vehicles in Ukraine is also growing;
- changes in the EU could affect prices;
- a shortage of electric vehicles could drive up their prices.
It should be noted that in early 2026, the share of electric vehicles in Ukraine’s new car market plummeted—from nearly 50% in December 2025 to just 3% in February. This was the result of several factors. At the same time, the war in the Middle East, which caused a sharp rise in global oil prices, has already led to a doubling of Ukrainians’ interest in electric vehicles.
In February, 1,074 electric vehicles were added to Ukraine’s vehicle fleet, with the highest number of registrations recorded in Lviv Oblast, Volyn, and Kyiv.
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