The average US gas price has climbed to $3.90 a gallon, the highest in nearly three years. Analysts say the jump, driven by surging oil markets and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has pushed many motorists to reconsider vehicles that don’t rely on petrol. Searches for electric models have jumped sharply in the weeks since the conflict escalated. EV Curiosity Spikes Overnight Data from automotive platform CarEdge shows online searches for electric vehicles rising about 20% since the conflict began. Industry analysts say the spike happened almost immediately. Buyers began researching alternatives within 48 hours of the first strikes. “It’s directly connected to the news,” analysts say, noting that sustained high fuel costs could push interest even higher. Used EVs Become the Entry Point For many Americans, the gateway to electric driving is the second-hand market. Affordable models such as the Tesla Model 3, Chevrolet Equinox EV and Nissan Leaf are increasingly appearing below the $25,000 mark. Analysts say that price point makes EV ownership feasible for households hit hardest by rising fuel bills. Hybrids are also gaining traction, offering drivers a hedge against petrol volatility without full reliance on charging networks. Policy Battles Complicate the Shift The surge in interest comes amid political headwinds. The administration of Donald Trump has rolled back several emissions rules and challenged electric-vehicle mandates introduced by California. The move has prompted carmakers to prioritise petrol-powered SUVs and pick-ups, still the most profitable vehicles on US roads. For now, EVs remain a small slice of the American market — accounting for less than 8% of new car sales. Global Momentum Leaves the US Behind Elsewhere, the shift is accelerating fast. Electric vehicles now make up about one in five new car sales worldwide, with countries like Norway nearly eliminating new petrol-car purchases. For American drivers staring at record fuel prices, the question is no longer whether EVs are the future — but how soon they become unavoidable. US interest in electric vehicles surges as gas prices jump amid Iran war
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