Chinese electric cars are becoming increasingly popular in Russia due to fuel shortages caused by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the New York Times reported on October 4.
According to the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, 83,000 electric vehicles (including hybrids) were sold in Russia from January to August this year, an increase of 40,000 compared to the same period last year. Market research firm Avtostat reported that as of the end of September, electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles accounted for 11.5% of the Russian market, up from 5% at the beginning of the year.
The surge in electric vehicle sales in Russia is attributed to changing consumer purchasing patterns as gasoline supply becomes increasingly difficult due to the war in Ukraine.
Sergei Chelykov, head of Avtostat, noted that despite owning over 20 gasoline vehicles from brands like Volvo, Volkswagen, and Range Rover, he recently purchased an electric car from China's Great Wall Motors. He mentioned that the price of the vehicle increased by $2,000 in just a few days. "I visited five gas stations trying to refuel, but only found diesel or low-grade gasoline available," he said, adding that he found it bothersome to wait in line. He also noted that the Russian government has allowed the sale of lower-quality gasoline to address the fuel shortage.
The use of these low-quality fuels can lead to vehicle malfunctions. A Volvo repair shop in Moscow reported receiving 15 vehicles with clogged diesel filters over a two-week period in August, attributing the issue to the use of substandard fuel.
However, purchasing an electric vehicle does not guarantee immediate freedom of movement, as there are still few charging stations in Russia. As a major oil-producing country, Russia has not felt the urgency to rapidly expand its electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Additionally, vehicles need to be modified to withstand the extremely cold winter climate.
Globally, electric vehicle sales are also surging, driven by rising oil prices due to conflicts such as the war in Ukraine. The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that 29% of new car sales this year will be electric vehicles, the highest percentage on record.
According to the fuel market trend platform Gdebenz, only 46% of gas stations in Russia are selling oil. In Moscow, this figure is about 53%, but it drops to just 27% in Nizhny Novgorod, located approximately 400 kilometers east of the capital.
The New York Times also released a video showing long lines of cars waiting at gas stations in Moscow. The report noted, "This is likely the first time that residents of Moscow have experienced real inconveniences in their daily lives due to the war in Ukraine."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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