# European EV registrations jumped 51 per cent in March 2026 as oil prices topped $100 a barrel following the Iran war.

*robotics · news · 2026-05-20 · TNW*

## Key points

- European EV registrations jumped 51% in March 2026 due to oil price spikes from the Iran conflict.
- Chinese brands like BYD saw a 25,000% surge in European purchase enquiries during Q1 2026.
- BYD's registrations in Germany rose 327% in March, achieving a 1.2% market share.
- Renault's UK EV registrations hit 50% in April, with the Renault 5 leading electric sales.
- Mature charging and cheaper Chinese EVs may make this adoption surge more sustained than previous oil shocks.

**Companies:** Tesla, Renault, Volvo Cars, BYD, Leapmotor, Xpeng
**Countries:** Iran, United States, Israel, Germany, United Kingdom, France

[Read the full story on TNW](https://thenextweb.com/news/europe-ev-sales-surge-iran-war-oil-prices)

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