Russia's EV Market More Than Doubles as Fuel Shortages Lift Chinese Car Sales
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Oct 4
Russia's EV Market More Than Doubles as Fuel Shortages Lift Chinese Car Sales
2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Oct 4
Summary
Russia’s electric-vehicle market has more than doubled since late June as fuel shortages pushed drivers toward battery-powered cars, with Chinese brands capturing most of the demand.
Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries left motorists waiting hours at gas stations and forced the government to allow lower-grade fuel sales to ease shortages.
Sergei Tselikov, a leading Russian auto analyst, bought a Chinese Great Wall hatchback in July after failing to find regular gasoline at five nearby stations; its price jumped about $2,000 within days.
The surge highlights Moscow’s wartime shift toward Chinese imports under Western sanctions, while exposing how Russia’s cheap-fuel model left it lagging on EV supply chains and charging infrastructure.