Fuel Crisis in Russia Drives Surge in Demand for Chinese Electric Vehicles
A fuel crisis gripping Russia is beginning to alter consumer behaviour. Soaring petrol and diesel prices, caused by supply disruptions, have led to a sharp surge in demand for Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), especially in Moscow.
Yevgeniy Zabelin, founder of the EN Cars dealership, stated that demand for electric vehicles has increased dramatically since fuel supplies became problematic. “Since the situation with fuel became complicated, demand has multiplied several times over,” he told Reuters. He added that consumer interest has risen for both economical and premium electric models.
The fuel supply disruptions were triggered by intensified Ukrainian attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure in recent weeks. The situation has resulted in long queues at petrol stations, fuel distribution restrictions in many regions, and retail petrol prices in some areas reaching the highest levels in Europe, according to Reuters calculations.
The impact is being felt directly in the automotive market. Zabelin revealed that EN Cars, which focuses on selling Chinese brands, is now able to sell two to three electric vehicles per day. This figure represents a significant jump from the previous rate of around two to three units per month.
Sergei Udalov, Executive Director of the research agency Autostat, said sales of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids are indeed increasing, but stock availability remains a constraint because manufacturers and importers were unprepared for the surge in demand. “If the fuel crisis continues, sales will grow significantly in the near future, and China will be the biggest beneficiary,” he said.
Amid this rising interest, Chinese brands dominate the Russian electric vehicle market. According to Autostat data, the best-selling EV and hybrid models come from Geely, Dongfeng, GAC, and Chery. Meanwhile, the best-selling Russian-made electric model is the Evolute, which is assembled using kits from Dongfeng.
Data from Autostat and Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade show that sales of plug-in hybrid cars reached 24,600 units in the first five months of 2026, a 125 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Sales of pure electric vehicles rose by 19 percent to 4,460 units. Autostat head Sergei Tselikov also noted that 1,754 new plug-in hybrids were registered last week, nearly 50 percent above the weekly average for the year, as the fuel crisis worsened.
Despite this, the adoption of electric vehicles in Russia still faces challenges, including limited charging infrastructure, vast distances between cities, and extreme weather conditions. Digital mapping service 2GIS recorded a 20 percent increase in the number of charging stations by July 2026, but this has not yet kept pace with market needs.
One EV owner, Vasiliy, said he was unaffected by the fuel crisis because he can charge his car at home. “Especially in the current situation, I have no problems at all,” he said. However, he believes the surge in demand for electric vehicles may not last long, as charging in Moscow remains a challenge for many users.