Fuel prices see US consumer interest in EVs rise

Fahad Redha

March 24, 2026
3 min read

Fuel prices see US consumer interest in EVs rise

American car buyers are showing more interest in electric vehicles (EVs) following the rise in fuel prices after Trump’s decision to attack Iran. Fuel prices in the country are at their highest level in almost three years, with the average price of petrol being $3.90 (£2.91) per US gallon (3.785 litres), according to The Guardian.

The rise has been due to the global cost of oil following America and Israel’s decision to strike one of the world’s major producers of oil. The conflict has seen the strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway where a fifth of the planet’s oil passes through, being closed by Iran.

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American drivers have responded with an increased interest in EVs. Searchers for battery-powered cars have climbed 20% since the strikes, CarEdge, a car-buying platform says.

“You saw that within 48 hours of the war starting a spike started, it is directly connected to that news,” automotive analyst at CarEdge, Justin Fischer said. “If we see these higher gas pries dragging on for a month or more we will see bigger and bigger numbers.”

The rise in fuel prices is “at the forefront of buyers minds right now. They are thinking about how do they avoid these fluctuations,” said head of insights at Edmunds, Jessica Caldwell. The website also recorded a surge in the amount of online research activity into EVs by those looking for a new or used car.

“Gas isn’t something you can hide from, it’s right in your face, you see the cost as you fill up each time,” Caldwell added. “It’s a conversational point for a lot of people, too. I live in Los Angeles and there are a lot of memes being sent around by EV drivers on how they are happily watching other people being worried about the gas price right now.”

It is not certain whether this interest will last long. America is well behind other countries in EV adoption and charging infrastructure, especially as Trump rolled back fuel economy and pollution regulations.

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About Author

Fahad Redha

Fahad is the Content Editor at EyeOnLondon, overseeing the publication’s editorial output across news, culture, and lifestyle. With a background in journalism from the University of the Creative Arts, he brings a broad range of experience from local London reporting in Kensington & Chelsea, where he held roles including motoring, events, and health editor. At EyeOnLondon, Fahad plays a central role in shaping content and maintaining editorial standards. His work spans everything from daily news to feature coverage, with a particular strength in motoring and events. He also incorporates photography into his reporting, adding a visual layer to many of his stories. Fahad joined EyeOnLondon in February 2021.