Oil Crises? We’ve Been Here Before – And So Have EVs

From Transport Evolved.

As many scholars will attest, we humans must either learn from the lessons of
history — or be doomed to repeat them. And right here, right now, in 2026, the
U.S. is certainly repeating a well-worn path: engaging in a conflict in the
Middle East that will undoubtedly leave thousands injured or killed, millions
displaced, and any semblance of who is ‘right’ and who is ‘wrong’ buried in the
chaos that follows.

And whenever a conflict wages in one of the world’s most oil-rich regions, the
knock-on effects are immediate and severe: oil prices go up, entire economies are
threatened, and regardless of who started the war, or why, everyone on the planet
suffers.

As the U.S./Israeli war against Iran enters its third month, oil prices around
the world remain high — and more and more people are considering going electric.
But while history can teach us what not to repeat, it can also show us what to
expect. And while a ceasefire is currently in effect, there appears to be little
urgency — in some quarters, at least — to negotiate a lasting peace deal, return
the Strait of Hormuz to its usual operational state, and stop pushing oil prices
unnecessarily higher.

So today, Nikki is delving back into history to see what happened with EVs the
last time oil prices were severely affected by foreign war — and examining why
this brutal, bloody, and unnecessary conflict could yet end up promoting EV growth
from the ashes.

*⏱️ Chapter Breakdown:*

00:00 – Introduction
03:54 – Things are changing… quickly
05:03 – It’s already being felt
05:57 – There are many events to choose from historically
06:59 – Some examples of early EVs built in response to Oil Crises
08:37 – US attempts
10:13 – The mid-1970s
11:19 – Enfield in the UK
12:29 – Sebring-Vanguard
13:15 – European Drive To Electric
16:03 – In the past, Oil Crises Have Been Good For EVs
17:46 – The effects on startups
18:53 – The impact on Mainstream Automakers?
20:35 – China Will Benefit
22:05 – Who Will Lose Out
23:41 – Thanks, and Goodbye!

📊 SOURCES & FURTHER READING

Casualty & conflict tracking:
🔗 WarCosts.org Iran War Tracker: https://www.warcosts.org/iran-war-2026
🔗 WarCosts.org Casualty Tracker: https://www.warcosts.org/analysis/iran-war-casualties

Fuel price data:
🔗 EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook (April 2026): https://www.eia.gov/outlooks/steo/

European EV sales data:
🔗 E-Mobility Europe / New Automotive (via The Driven): https://thedriven.io/2026/04/23/european-ev-sales-jump-51-pct-in-march-as-fuel-prices-surge-due-to-gulf-war/
🔗 ACEA Q1 2026 data (via Euronews): https://www.euronews.com/business/2026/04/23/ev-sales-spike-nearly-50-in-the-eu-in-march-amid-iran-war-energy-fears

Canada/China EV trade deal:
🔗 Prime Minister’s Office announcement: https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2026/01/16/prime-minister-carney-forges-new-strategic-partnership-peoples

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*👥 Today’s Sponsors*
🌱 Electric Vehicle Association – https://www.myeva.org
⚡ EnergySage – https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-101290941-16952262

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